As I am leaving for Dubai and the Far East shortly, so now would be a good time to review the 2009 season, which ended in Abu Dhabi at the start of this month and look forward to the 2010 Formula 1 season.  

I have already said that Jenson Button and Brawn GP were worthy winners of the driver and team championships, that last race in Abu Dhabi was certainly brought to life by the scrap between Jenson and Mark Webber over the final few laps. The facility they have built in Abu Dhabi is just stunning; nothing else like it any where in the world and it sets the mark, for any new or existing circuit in Formula 1, very high. I am hoping to race my OSCA at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi at the end of January next year at a Historic Race that is being organised. Driving through the pit lane tunnel and out onto that long straight should be quite an experience.
 
The marshal’s for the Abu Dhabi Historic race are likely to be brought over from the United Kingdom, as they were for the Formula 1 race. Motor sport globally would not function without the men and women who give up their time voluntarily to make our sport safe, whether it’s Formula 1 or Historic racing, and they deserve our thanks for the superb job that they do.
 
My personal highlight from this years Formula 1 season was the Brazil Grand Prix, superb racing, with Jenson driving a champions race to take the drivers crown. The Brawn GP team have been the story of the year. Ross Brawn proved that not only is he a master tactician and an astute team principal but also a very sharp business man. First in saving what was the Honda team by creating Brawn GP, a phoenix from the ashes, and then as of today selling a controlling stake in Brawn GP to Mercedes. As a past Mercedes driver, I am looking forward to seeing Mercedes race in their own name again next season.
 
Rubens also deserves credit for helping the Brawn GP team bring home the team championship. His wealth of experience will no doubt help rookie Nico Hülkenberg at the Williams team in 2010, which will be powered by Cosworth engines. It will be extremely interesting to watch how Cosworth perform next season against the likes of Mercedes engines, in the McLarens and their own cars, Ferrari and Renault, as they will power several teams, including the new Lotus F1 team, resurrecting their old partnership.
 
Lewis showed that he will be the man to beat next year, winning more points that any other driver in the second half of the season leading up to Abu Dhabi. It is looking more likely that his new team mate will be Jenson; this should make for a fascinating tussle on, and potentially off the track, with the current and former driver world champions on the same team. Even more so with one stop fuel strategies to contend with next year. Those drivers who have a smoother less aggressive style should be kinder on the tyres and therefore able to run longer before the need to come in and change them.
 
As a consequence, drivers are going to have to think a lot more about race tactics next year. Those who can think on their feet and react to circumstances on track are going to be better placed than most. Lewis certainly falls into that category and will enter his third Formula 1 season with experience and if the rumours are to be believed, a very competitive car, which marks him out, and Jenson if he joins McLaren, as two of the favorites for next years title. Another favourite to win the 2010 championship must also be Fernando Alonso driving for Ferrari, who as a team have had a lackluster season by their standards, and must surely be more competitive in 2010, with Felipe Massa back as the second driver following his horrific accident.
 
The year has also seen its fair share of controversy, first with Lewis and the so called “Lie-gate” at the start of the season in Australia and secondly the Renault scandal which left me absolutely flabbergasted. Firstly, why would a team even consider crashing a car deliberately and secondly, why would the driver actually agree to go through with it. The up shot of both these affairs was the departure of both Ron Dennis and Flavio Briatore from Formula 1, Ron to concentrate on his MP4 road car and Briatore out of the sport for good. We have also seen the departure of Max Mosley and the arrival of Jean Todt at the head of the FIA. With one change at the top of Formula 1 this does raise the question of who will succeed Bernie.
 
With the sad passing of Tom Wheatcroft last month and me having reached 80 in September, none of us including Bernie are getting any younger, who also turns 80 next October. The question is who can or wants to succeed Bernie? I had in my mind one name that would have been perhaps the ideal person to take on the role of CEO of Formula One Management, that person however, for the moment at least, does not want to be considered. Other potential candidates have dropped by the wayside. Does this mean that Bernie will make way for more than one person eventually or will CVC impose their own people, god forbid a FOM board made up of bankers! It’s an important question that the sport must consider and respond to.
 
The politics aside, the BBC also deserve congratulations for the way they covered Formula 1 this year. Jake Humphrey in particular did a wonderful job as the anchor, bringing some much needed youth into the presentation of the racing on TV in the UK. Formula 1 and the sport as a whole must attract a younger audience for it to thrive in the future.
 
The highlight for me personally this year was my 80th birthday celebration at Goodwood, superbly organised by Lord March and his team. I felt very humbled and take this opportunity again to thank each and every one of you for the gifts, cards and emails that I received. Both Susie and I were very touched by everyone’s kindness. My own personal racing highlight this year was taking part in the Trophy race that bore my name at the new Autodromo circuit in the Algarve. A fantastic circuit to race on, where we were all made to feel extremely welcome by the circuit and the local population. I am looking forward to going back again next year.
 
I can also reveal that I will be attending the Autosport Show at the NEC in Birmingham next year, on Saturday 16th January, to sign my “All My Races” book and prints on the LAT stand. More details in due course. Finally if you have not visited it yet, please have a look at my on-line store, we have an increasing range of products to purchase with more due in the shop over the next few weeks, just in time for Christmas!
 
Feel free to add your own comments on any of the topics covered using the comment box below.