One other thing: If overtaking was then so abundant, wouldn't it become less of a spectacle? A bit like a football match with a score of 121-59. The goals would be so often they'd hardly raise an eyebrow... Surely we don't want too much overtaking, otherwise it devalues it.

I agree, on balance he deserved it. I think reliablility was an influence as well, though. Even as a JB supporter I have to admit that Rubens had the lion shares of the failures. Vettel, also, was compromised by his engines.  

I have to say that I agree totally. I really didn't think he overstepped the mark at all when defending against Button, and certainly didn't see any footage to suggest he was 'crazy'. Many other rookies would have just jumped immediately out of Jenson's way, but I totally respect him for putting up a fight...  ...and I say all this as a ...

If Senna hadn't died and prompted the safety improvements that are present today, then at least three of the current drivers on the grid today would be dead (including Massa). So I can see the logic, even if the wording is unfortunate...

I noticed that when Kovy stopped with the hose attached outside the Brawn garage, the mechanics there removed it from his car. Isn't there a rule against working on another teams car? I assume the penalty was for unsafe release, not for what happened afterwards? Has this happened before ( a team helping another team out)? Anyone know?

I tentatively agree with you, but I think that drivers are getting into F1 so young these days that it's very early in Alonso's career to be very conclusive. I think his imprending spell at Ferarri will tell us once and for all!

I'd like to see Kovy win. Been an anonymous year for him so far!

Is it me, or are all the driver changes announced really late this year? OK, so we already knew about Alonso, and then Kubica, but there are loads of drives still unannounced! Given that there are (potentially) 8 new drives on the grid next year, with no announcements for drivers - this is even more unusual. Anyone got any guesses at potential ...

I wonder what the rule will be regarding voluntary retirement from races? If a championship contender has no hope of winning, surely better to retire the car and save the engine and gearbox for the next race. I wonder how many times drivers will do this during the season?

r1_racing: With the exception of last year it would not have affected the previous WDC going back until 1987. If we are to put a positive spin on this it will affect the drivers approach, going for a win instead of settling for a second place?   I don't agree with the first sentence, because of the second.