The conclusion of the 2013 Formula One season heralded the chequered flag of the technical regulations which came into place in 2009 and have since remained largely stable.
It also drew a curtain on the V8 era, which commenced in 2006.
The fifth and final season of this version of F1 was ultimately a fizzer, dominated by a scrawny German, driving for an energy drinks company, ensuring the last few years will forever be remembered as the era of the finger.
Thus it is more appropriate to review the culmination of these seasons rather than focussing on the one just gone, which many will be loath to remember.
94 races took place over these seasons, during which outfits McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes, Williams and Lotus each greeted the chequered flag first at some point.
Yet none of these claimed the ultimate prize, while only two drivers achieved greatness.
Brawn GP’s 2009 triumph is something dreams are made of.
Having risen from the ashes of Honda’s failed campaign and led by Ross Brawn, who bought the operation for the symbolic £1, Jenson Button cast aside his mediocre past, winning six of the first seven events, thanks in large part to the controversial double diffuser, before seeing off the man and team who have subsequently dominated the sport to this day.
Brawn was duly bought out by Mercedes, leaving the squad with eight victories from 17 events – an enviable strike rate of 47%, and boasting a 100% success rate in drivers’ and constructors’ titles.
Despite luring seven-time champion Michael Schumacher out of retirement upon returning, the German marque has never reached the lofty heights set by its predecessor.
Red Bull entered Formula One in 2005 in their own right, having spent years sponsoring Sauber, with a reputation as an energy drinks company and extreme sports enthusiasts, who increased their involvement in the sport with a missive to… sell more energy drinks.
Their first few campaigns did little to change this notion, coupled with the notorious ‘Energy Station’ attracting more attention than their on track exploits.
It wasn’t until Adrian Newey joined the stable and had a direct influence on the car that this impression began to change.
By 2009, with the new regulations, they finally had a car capable of success, and six victories during this campaign paved the way for a style of dominance comparable to the Ferrari golden era a decade earlier.
Though nobody knew it at the time, the sport was about to be struck by a cyclone, its name – Sebastian Vettel…
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The Australian finished second but had to work for it, as he fought off food poisoning, a race day engine change, and his own overheating body.
Nico Hulkenberg's move to a German team will hopefully bring back some of the German flare Formula 1 had just seven years ago.
Given how exclusive and precious a commodity scoring an F1 point is, why is it that mediocrity should be rewarded?
Team Penske is under the same umbrella of ownership as the IndyCar Series itself, so it was imperative for to drop the hammer and protect their integrity—which, thankfully, they did.
Red Bull can’t rest on its laurels and if Perez can’t provide them with cover on the rare days that Verstappen is having trouble, it's time to look elsewhere.
The absolute vitriol against the Canadian that has come from the incident is beyond reprehensible.
