During the F1 summer break we found ourselves contemplating the 2014 switch from high-revving 2.4 litre normally-aspirated V8 powertrains to 1.6 litre turbo engines limited to 15000 rpm. After delving a tad deeper into next year's regulation changes, we've come to the conclusion that the next time F1 arrives Down Under to tackle the Albert Park street circuit, the cars will look vastly different.
    Narrower front wing, slimmer rear wing with the lower beam outlawed, but one of the most interesting concerns exit exhaust positioning. Since the last major changes from 2009, F1 teams have been utilising exhaust gases to influence rear diffusers and improve airflow to the rear bodywork. However, from 2014, there is to be a single exhaust, angled upwards, and with no bodywork behind. In the interest of safety, nose height has drastically been reduced to 185mm from 550mm. Open wheel race cars are more prone to launch into the air in the event of a rear end collision with another car. Think Webber-Valencia or Schumi-Singapore or Ralf Schumacher-Australia.
    The aero sensitive bodywork mysteriously shrouds a number of changes. Gearboxes must now have 8 forward gears instead of 7 and race fuel will be limited to 100kg/race with the emphasis on fuel efficiency. F1 and the auto industry have recently ventured into the world of Energy Recovery Systems. 2014 sees greater emphasis on ERS as the quantity of fuel permitted is not enough to complete the minimum 300km race distance. Therefore the new systems in addition to harvesting energy under braking, can also stockpile energy from waste heat generated by the turbocharger. This equates to an extra 160bhp for approximately 30 sec/lap. Impressive or what? F1 being F1, they'll endeavour to perfect the technology which will filter down to the auto industry.
    But how will this all affect the racing, and more importantly, the show to the viewing punter? Will we see cars retiring amid a huge plume of smoke courtesy of a shat engine/turbocharger? The packaging under the skin must surely present cooling issues for the teams. Will we see the leader dramatically splutter to a halt with 2 laps to go as a consequence of fuel mismanagement? With the emphasis on development pointing more towards the mechanical package, will the teams produce markedly different looking cars to each other now they're starting with a relatively clean slate? The big question? How will they sound?
    Let us know what you think. Send formulafrontrow.com an email at: [email protected] or simply leave a comment. The 2013 European season culminates with this weekend's Belgium GP around the formidable Spa-Francorchamps, followed by the Italian GP at Ferrari's spiritual home, Monza. 10-time GP winner Mark Webber? Now that sounds good.... 

    The Formula One summer break usually triggers a raft of anticipation regarding which driver will drive for which team the following season, and it seems that this season is no exception. Whether it's a case of drivers with substantial funding, exciting up and comers, current drivers underperforming, star drivers coming off contract, or frustrated drivers wishing to change teams, speculation undoubtedly reaches fever pitch.
    The coveted Red Bull Racing seat has materialised by fortune of the retiring Mark Webber. But who will partner 3-time (possibly 4-time) world champion Sebastian Vettel for 2014? Red Bull seem to have their crosshairs pointed towards Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen. But would Raikkonen be tempted away from a team that he has stated he's very happy with, and is already fighting at the sharp end? Red Bull have also evaluated Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo. The young Aussie continues to improve in Formula One, and performed admirably in a 2013 RB9 at the recent Silverstone young driver test. 
    Whilst the focus seems to be on those two drivers, are there other current drivers that Red Bull should be considering? Scotland's Paul Di Resta is a regular point scorer for team Force India and is off contract at the end of this season. If you've ever seen Di Resta's racecam you'll realise what a smooth driver he is, with minimal steering inputs, and therefore corrections are subtle to the point of non-existent. A joy to watch. Highly rated German, Nico Hulkenberg would dearly love to leave Swiss team Sauber, due to an underwhelming F1 car. We remember seeing Nico destroy the opposition many moons ago at Sydney Motorsport Park in the now defunct A1GP. Both drivers would complement Vettel at Red Bull very well. Not to mention, amid rumours of tension between the team and their star driver Fernando Alonso, Ferrari may opt not retain 11-time winner Felipe Massa. 
    So how will the 2014 driver market shakedown? Don't forget the sub-plots. Will Lotus retain Romain Grosjean? Is Sergio Perez' seat safe at McLaren? Let formulafrontrow.com know your opinion. Send us an email at: [email protected] or simply leave a comment. 
    As Aussies ourselves, no need to guess who we'll be supporting. Go Dan! 
                                                    Cheers....