CHANGES // FIA LAYS DOWN THE LAW

A handful of changes to Formula One have been announced by the FIA, and will be effective at the start of the 2009 season. Longer engine life, a ban on re-fueling, limited rev’s on engines are but a few of the changes. Has the FIA killed Formula One development? Will manufacturers continue to develop new technology via their F1 teams? Read on and give us your thoughts...


Changes for 2009 : :

Engine //
- Engine life to be doubled. Each driver will use a maximum of eight engines for the season plus four for testing (thus 20 per team).
- Limit of 18,000 rpm.
- No internal re-tuning. Adjustment to trumpets and injectors only.
- The three-race rule voted on 5 November remains in force.
- Cost of engines to independent teams will be approximately 50% of 2008 prices.
- Unanimous agreement was reached on a list of proposed changes to the Renault engine for 2009; all other engines will remain unchanged. Comparative testing will not be necessary.

Testing //
- No in-season testing except during race weekend during scheduled practice.

Aerodynamic research //
- No wind tunnel exceeding 60% scale and 50 metres/sec to be used after 1 January 2009.
- A formula to balance wind tunnel-based research against CFD research, if agreed between the teams, will be proposed to the FIA.

Factory activity //
- Factory closures for six weeks per year, to accord with local laws.

Race weekend //
- Manpower to be reduced by means of a number of measures, including sharing information on tyres and fuel to eliminate the need for “spotters”.

Sporting spectacle //
- Market research is being conducted to gauge the public reaction to a number of new ideas, including possible changes to qualifying and a proposal for the substitution of medals for points for the drivers. Proposals will be submitted to the FIA when the results of the market research are known.
Note: It is estimated that these changes for 2009 will save the manufacturer teams approximately 30% of their budgets compared to 2008, while the savings for independent teams will be even greater.

Changes for 2010 : :

Power train //
- Engines will be available to the independent teams for less than €5 million per team per season. These will either come from an independent supplier or be supplied by the manufacturer teams backed by guarantees of continuity. If an independent supplier, the deal will be signed no later than 20 December 2008.
- This same engine will continue to be used in 2011 and 2012 (thus no new engine for 2011).
- Subject to confirmation of practicability, the same transmission will be used by all teams.

Chassis //
- A list of all elements of the chassis will be prepared and a decision taken in respect of each element as to whether or not it will remain a performance differentiator (competitive element).
- Some elements which remain performance differentiators will be homologated for the season.
- Some elements will remain performance differentiators, but use inexpensive materials.
- Elements which are not performance differentiators will be prescriptive and be obtained or manufactured in the most economical possible way.

Race weekend //
- Standardised radio and telemetry systems.
- Ban on tyre warmers.
- Ban on mechanical purging of tyres.
- Ban on refueling.
- Possible reduction in race distance or duration (proposal to follow market research).

Factory activity //
- Further restrictions on aerodynamic research.
- Ban on tyre force rigs (other than vertical force rigs).
- Full analysis of factory facilities with a view to proposing further restrictions on facilities.


Not at all shocking, as major changes were expected in Formula One since news of a KERS system leaked onto the ethernet a few months back. However, a handful of the changes will in fact drastically alter Formula One development, and in some ways hinder both the sport and the trickle down effect that Formula One racing and manufacturer development have had for decades. Your thoughts?

Information comes courtesy of F1Technical.net // 12.17.2008