Technology set to rule

Sunday's Qantas Australian Grand Prix ushers in what could be termed "Formula One 2.0" - a revolutionary upgrade designed for today's MTV generation. Technology has always been at the core of F1. For 2011 it has been employed to create, some might say synthesize, a better and more accessible show - through increased overtaking.

So we welcome back KERS and say hello to MRW or DRS and - probably most importantly - DCT.

Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems, as on a hybrid road car, capture energy usually dissipated as heat under braking - and provide a boost on the straights. It is worth a quarter of a second per lap. KERS was introduced in 2009 to highlight F1's role in the development of efficient motor vehicles. Back then only McLaren and Ferrari used it regularly, so it also provided a performance differential (particularly from the start line). This year, after a one-season hiatus by common agreement, it's back for all bar the three newest teams (HRT, Lotus and Virgin) who can't afford it.