There is nothing more fascinating in the world of Formula One racing than a major change of regulations, especially when engine sizes and layouts are involved.

F1 has a comprehensive list of changes for 2006, most important among them a switch to 2.4 liter V-8's from 3.0 liter V-10's. Much as we're going to miss the Screamin' Tens, it was a wise decision.

But what makes the new regs a bit of a crap shoot is that F1 decided to allow teams to continue running V-10's with a rev-limiter. This was aimed at making the adjustment easier for low-budget teams (if 50 or 60 mil can be considered "low budget"). So what you now have is a situation where some teams are doing track tests with the new V-8's, others (including the big guys) with V-10's, some a mix of both. Chassis from 2005, modified versions of same, and hybrid testing chassis are all being used.

You'd think that would even the odds but guess what? Rev-limited V-10's are keeping up with V-8's and last year's fast guys are looking like this year's fast guys. To wit; World Champion Fernando Alonso wrapping up recent track testing with the quickest times, running a new engine in an interim chassis. F1-Live's got the full story, by the way.

I'm sorry to see McLaren/Mercedes lose that gorgeous silver and black color scheme but the new one, shown here, harks back to the late Bruce McLaren's championship days. I met the man, had dinner with him, interviewed him for radio. Like many great drivers, he was shy and self-effacing. Except on the track.