New teams, new circuits, new rules, new regulations, new team-mates, new challenges, new drivers, old drivers and even returning drivers. However for all this, it was definitely a classic case of the more things change, the more they stay the same with the return of Formula One for another year.

Last year’s rule changes to encourage overtaking simply failed and 2010 hopes to rectify that, unfortunately everyone was too cautious to do anything for the first race of nineteen in the new calendar. It was mainly the long two minute track that caused it all though, as the gap between the contenders and the stragglers was exaggerated creating an incredibly staggered field. It was great though, to see both Lotus cars finish the race after new teams Hispania and Virgin went out quite early.

At the front however, Vettel clearly deserved it and probably would have held on despite a probable Hollywood finish. The truth is that the Ferrari car clearly isn’t up to spec despite finishing one-two due to a pair of overheating engines. The return of Schmacher was underwhelming but expected, he hasn’t driven at this level in years and is clearly having some teething problems with the new cars.

The new rules should create for some interesting watching on the shorter tracks, especially with the packed grid we now have. Exciting starts should lead into early pit stops with a shuffled pack starting to get settled during the middle of the race, as soon as they do tire-wear and burnt fuel should have an affect to create a highlight reel finish. It’s just a shame that the highlight reel finish never happened in Bahrain. Maybe Melbourne will live up to the expectations the new rules and regulations have promised.

Driver of the Day: Sebastian Vettel was incredibly unlucky not to pick up the win and despite losing focus during the middle, he held off an eager Rosberg.

Team of the Day: I guess I should pick Ferrari but they were gifted it after exhaust problems on Vettel’s Red Bull. With that said, it’s got to go to new boys Lotus, not only did they finish – a remarkable accomplishment of itself – but they recorded some respectable lap times.