Ron
23 out of 24 cars in the Bahrain F1 race started on the harder tires. The problem with the softer tire is that while it does give better grip, it wears out more quickly. By starting on the harder tires and of course a full load of fuel, the thinking was that they could continue to run much deeper into the race and have more options as to when they would choose to pit.
By starting on the soft tires, they would have to pit earlier when it may not really be to their advantage. While the pit stop itself only takes 3 seconds, they estimate that the car loses about 20 seconds total time. Pitting early will mean losing several spots but pitting later in the race could possibly mean not losing a spot at all since the cars are more strung out. Finishing on soft tires and a light fuel load would also allow for very fast lap times at the end of the race when it is critical.
Don
Many F1 teams began to use that fin from the airbox inlet to the rear wing last year. The idea in F1 was to keep the air moving smoothly towards the wing by reducing turbulance.
As far as McLaren's new air inlet allowing air to pass through the cockpit before exiting in front of the wing, I heard that the idea was to disrupt the air flow over the wing on high speed straightaways thereby reducing downforce and more importantly, reducing drag at the same time. The airflow would be interupted by the driver pressing on some sort of air bag device with his knee, when downforce was required at lower speeds. Very innovative but the other teams all claim that it is illegal just like they did with Brawn's diffuser setup last year.
F1 teams are always pushing the limits.
Wayne