I've been learning how to use the triggers and analog stick. I've been playing the GT5 time trial demo and it's kind of a necessity since the d-pad is a bit laggy and doesn't control the way I like. While using the buttons to accelerate does the opposite and provides too much response so you spin out on every corner. I know using the triggers and analogue sticks provide much better control but after playing racing games for years using the d-pad and arrow keys its a bit hard. I've started investigating getting a racing wheel. The logitech ones work on both PS3 and PC.
I just found out I could have longer to buy a wheel since the game has been delayed
It was supposed to come out in Japan in March but the word on the street is because Sony are releasing a bunch of other stuff in March so didn't want to saturate the market and they could just decide to make it a simultaneous world wide release. I hope thats the case and it come out mid year and they're not delaying it until the end of the year to add another billion cars. The addition of damage, Nascar and WRC is quite exciting. I've been playing a bit of dirt2 lately and I think it doesn't really do rally properly which was disappointing. It opts more for an arcady feel and different race modes.
I almost forgot about the F1 game been put out this year. Not sure when that might be though. The 09 game on Wii and PSP wasn't released until near the end of the year so maybe the 2010 game will come out around the same time of year. I suppose that could give me something to do while waiting for the next season to start
The arrows work well for me 
I'm Old skool and prefer buttons and d-pad. The PS3 D-pad is heaps better too.