Post
by phil1993 » 08 Nov 2009, 12:09
Rule changes for 2010:
* Refuelling is to be abolished for the first time since 1993. As a consequence, the cars will be allowed to refuel after the third part of qualifying. The 2010 F1 cars should look a little more bloated in the tail end with the larger fuel tank fit between driver and engine. Despite the resolution over the budget cap meaning that the 2010 regulations would default back to the 2009 rules, FOTA have expressed interest in a refuelling ban as it represents a way to cut costs.
* The maximum number of cars allowed to take part in a race shall be increased from 24 to 26 cars.
* Formula One Management will offer financial support to all new teams from next season, in the form of $10m (£6.25m, €6.8m) along with the free transportation of two chassis and 10,000 kg (22,049 lbs) of freight to each race.
* FOTA has agreed to scrap KERS for 2010 due to poor uptake and pressure from FIA to cut costs, although KERS is not banned in the regulations.
* The minimum car weight will be increased from 605 kg to 620 kg (1,334 lbs to 1,367 lbs) to stop taller and heavier drivers being at a disadvantage if KERS is added to their car, which will still be allowed in 2010, despite FOTA's agreement not to use the system.
* The qualifying system will change to accommodate the extra cars: 8 cars will drop out of the first qualifying session, 8 from the second and as in 2009, 10 cars will shoot-out for pole in the third session. The third session will now be run in low-fuel configuration due to the refuelling ban.
* Wheel covers which have been used by the teams since 2006 are also set to be banned for 2010
* During negotiations of a new Concorde Agreement at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, several details emerged of cost-cutting proposals by the teams including:
* Homologation of front and rear wings.
* A limit on the number of aerodynamic upgrades permitted over the course of a season.
* A continuation of the ban on in-season testing introduced for 2009.
* Restrictions on the number of team personnel who can attend a Grand Prix weekend.
* Complete closures of team factories over the mid-season summer break.
Calendar naming confusion:
The title of the race in Valencia in June has also been left open, with the possiblity that it could use the Mediterranean Grand Prix name so as to free up the European Grand Prix title for Silverstone, if Donington Park is unable to host the British event. Alternatively, the Valencian round could be known as the Spanish Grand Prix while the race in Barcelona would be called the Andorran or Catalan Grand Prix