For the first time since 2014, F1 has rolled out brand new regulations that are set to revolutionize the sport. One key aspect of this new change was the more electric approach to the cars, with the strategy of using the battery more important than ever. A lot of fans worried these new regulations would lead to dull races with no overtaking, but the first race in Australia on March 8 proved that this season will be anything but boring.

The Australian Grand Prix proved to be exceptional in the overtaking department. With 120 overtakes, this is a 266% increase from last year’s race, according to Road & Track. Overtaking is easily one of the more exciting parts of F1, so having more of it is never going to be a bad thing.

Several of these overtakes came from just one battle between the Mercedes of George Russell and the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, during the opening laps of the race. When Leclerc surged out to an early lead, this led the two to fight for first position until an eventual pit stop from the Mercedes.

Now more than ever, strategy is going to be a key player in what teams are winning races. Not only is pit stop management still important, as demonstrated by the Ferraris in Australia, but energy management is a new feature that will need to be used well. It’s an added bonus that while some fans think is excessive and unmanageable, I believe it adds a little extra excitement to each race.

After Australia, the next race of the season was held a week later in China, and this race truly showed why this season will be so entertaining, for a multitude of different factors that were shown during the race, the first being the 19-year-old Mercedes hotshot Kimi Antonelli.

In China, Antonelli broke the record for youngest polesitter ever, or youngest to start in first position on the grid after qualifying. The next day, he went on to win his first F1 race and become the second-youngest race winner in F1. Even if you’re not a Mercedes fan, it was one exciting race, and the way he procured his first win is even more exciting. 

Antonelli got off the line pretty slow and immediately lost his first place position, but he battled back and delivered a stellar performance to claim his first win. From energy conservation to tire management, he mastered everything from the new regulations and proved that when thought through correctly, the new regulations can be utilized to put together an amazing drive.

The next highlight from China’s race, the one that most fans have been waiting for, is seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s first podium in almost two years, and his first one driving for Ferrari. Ferrari has been taking advantage of these new regulations to put together a podium-deserving car, which gave fans the moment we’ve all wanted since Hamilton started wearing red.

High-intensity battles, more overtakes, first-time race winners and well-deserved podiums are all results of the new regulations put in place in F1 this year. Only three races in this year, these teams and drivers have made it pretty clear that the future of F1 will be anything but boring.