Era · 2009–2013
Aerodynamic ingenuity under constraint
Rule packages designed to cut downforce were repeatedly outwitted — double diffusers, F-ducts, blown floors.
- Dominant
- Brawn, Red Bull
- Technology
- KERS, DRS, exhaust-blown diffusers, the arrival of Pirelli's degradation tyres
- Confidence
- medium
The seasons 5
| Season | Rounds | Drivers' champion | Driving for | Points | Wins | Runner-up | Margin | Title race | Constructors' champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull Racing | 397 | 13 | Fernando Alonso | 155 | Red Bull Racing | |
| 2012 | 20 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull Racing | 281 | 5 | Fernando Alonso | 3 | Red Bull Racing | |
| 2011 | 19 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull Racing | 392 | 11 | Jenson Button | 122 | Red Bull Racing | |
| 2010 | 19 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull Racing | 256 | 5 | Fernando Alonso | 4 | Red Bull Racing | |
| 2009 | 17 | Jenson Button | Brawn GP | 95 | 6 | Sebastian Vettel | 11 | Brawn GP |
Margin is the points gap between champion and runner-up at the end of the season; before 1991 that is net of dropped scores, so it can look small beside the wins. A row marked “so far” is the season still running: its leader, not its champion. The title race is the champion’s lead over the runner-up after each round, above the line when ahead and below it when behind, each season drawn to its own scale. A row reading “not yet run” is a calendar that has been announced and not yet raced. A blank constructors’ champion before 1958 is not a gap — the championship did not exist yet.
Engine formulae 1
| Era | Formula | Typical | Power (bhp) | Revs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The V8 era 2006–2013 | 2.4 L naturally aspirated V8 | V8 | 720-780 | 20,000 rpm to 2006, then 19,000, then 18,000 from 2009 | Rev limits and long-life rules progressively froze development. KERS introduced in 2009. |
Regulation changes 3
| Year | Category | Change | Detail | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | technical | DRS and Pirelli high-degradation tyres | A driver-adjustable rear wing usable within one second of the car ahead in designated zones, and tyres designed to fall off deliberately. | Both were explicit attempts to manufacture overtaking; both remain contested on sporting-purity grounds. |
| 2010 | sporting | Refuelling banned; new points system | Race refuelling prohibited; 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 introduced with the field expanded to 24 cars. | Fuel loads at the start became a major performance factor. |
| 2009 | technical | Aerodynamic overhaul and KERS | Wide low front wing, narrow high rear wing, most bodywork appendages removed; optional 60 kW kinetic energy recovery. | First serious attempt to design for following another car. The double-diffuser loophole dominated the season. |
Technical innovations 5
| Year | Innovation | Originator | What it was | What became of it | Banned |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Double diffuser | Brawn, Toyota, Williams | A second-tier diffuser exploiting a gap in the wording of the 2009 rules. | Effectively decided the 2009 championship; banned for 2011. | 2011 |
| 2009 | KERS | Multiple | 60 kW kinetic energy recovery under braking. | The bridgehead to the hybrid era. | — |
| 2010 | F-duct | McLaren MW23 | A driver-operated duct stalling the rear wing on the straights for less drag. | Banned for 2011 as a movable aerodynamic device operated by the driver. | 2011 |
| 2010 | Blown diffuser | Red Bull RB6 | Exhaust gases routed into the diffuser to energise it, including off-throttle. | Progressively restricted 2011-2013 through exhaust position rules. | 2014 |
| 2011 | DRS | FIA regulation | Driver-adjustable rear wing within one second of the car ahead. | Replaced by active aerodynamics and Overtake Mode in 2026. | 2026 |
Safety 2
Zylon anti-penetration visor panel2009
After: Felipe Massa struck by a loose spring at the Hungaroring; Henry Surtees killed in F2
A ballistic strip added to helmet visors.