2008 Formula 1 Technical Regulations

[Jack_Bauer]

The FIA today published the proposed regulations that will come into place for the 2008 Formula 1 season. Much of what is included (split rear wing, control ECUs etc) had been hinted at previously and discussed at length. This seems to be the concrete list of the changes the FIA wants to implement providing it gets the support of the teams. Below is a press release with a brief outline of some of the major changes, along with some reasoning and apprent 'justification' for the changes. The full rules and regs can be downloaded in .pdf format from The FIA

Originally Posted by FIA

At the beginning of 2005 the FIA began a consultation on the regulations for the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship. All the sport's stakeholders were given the opportunity to participate in the process including more than 90,000 fans from 180 countries worldwide.

The FIA's objective in drafting the 2008 regulations has been to reduce significantly the cost of competing in Formula One. The rules must discourage financial profligacy and ensure than an independent team with ordinary commercial sponsorship (ie a budget in the order of $100 million - still a vast sum of money in the real world) can compete with a car manufacturer prepared to spend in excess of US$300 million. The FIA believes current manufacturers' budgets are unsustainable and are putting the whole of Formula One at risk.

Max Mosley, FIA President said,

"The real argument in Formula One is not about sports governance or even about how much money FOM gives the teams. It's all about costs.

"The World Championship must remain financially viable for independent teams. Against this, two (possibly three) manufacturers want to win by spending unlimited amounts of money. This approach has caused great damage to motor sport, most recently to IRL in America. We don't want it in F1.

"One manufacturer is spending a sum greater than half its total annual dividend. This is unsustainable and sooner or later the shareholders will notice."

Part of the attempt to reduce costs involves rules which allow independent suppliers to provide competitive engines at reasonable cost. The alternative approach - that car manufacturers should supply engines to independent teams - has failed. A written promise to do so was given by a manufacturer in 2003. It was not kept. Nor was a subsequent undertaking to make affordable engines available in return for concessions on traction control.

It must not be forgotten that the new engine rules (introduced by the FIA to cut power) were originally drawn up and proposed by the car manufacturers to reduce costs. Although some of these manufacturers now claim that costs have risen, it has become clear that for a properly managed engine supplier, costs have fallen substantially.

As previously explained the FIA is required to publish the 2008 Technical Regulations before December 31, 2005. These regulations are now available for download from www.fia.com. The following is a summary of the main changes:

*New technologies which give a team an advantage for one season but which are then adopted by all teams for subsequent seasons at significant expense will be banned after the end of the first season (Article 2.5).

Reason: To reduce costs. This allows a team which discovers a new technology to benefit from it, but prevents Formula One as a whole then spending money on the same technology only to leave all the teams in exactly the same (relative) positions as before.

*The rear wing is split in two.

Reason: Research indicates that this will produce a wake in which the car behind will perform much better, thus facilitating overtaking.

*Changes to the bodywork regulations to reduce downforce while maintaining drag levels so as to avoid an increase in cornering speeds over 2006 levels (Article 3).

Reason: Safety

*Changes to the bodywork regulations at the front of the car to make the car behave better in traffic (Article 3).

Reason: To facilitate overtaking.

*Limitations on possible "interesting" areas of aerodynamic research (Article 3).

Reason: To reduce costs.

*The minimum weight is reduced from 605 to 550kg (Article 4).

Reason: To eliminate the cost of purchasing 55kg of very expensive high density ballast for each car and transporting it all over the world. Cars will also be safer without this extra weight.

*Engine to be subject to a rev limit of 19,000 rpm, with a possible increase to 20,000 rpm in consultation with the competing teams (Article 5.1.3).

Reason: To reduce costs and to redirect engine research towards road-relevant technologies.

*A standard electronic control unit for engine and gearbox to be used at all times in Formula One (Article 8.2).

Reason: To reduce costs, eliminate driver aids such as traction control and allow the FIA to check engine use and testing mileage.

*Gear ratios to have a minimum thickness of 12mm (Article 9.3.3).

Reason: To reduce costs by making gearboxes more robust.

*Tyre pressures may be adjusted by the driver while the car is moving (Article 12.5).

Reason: Safety, particularly during safety car periods.

*Maximum wheel diameter increased to 640mm front and 710mm rear, with maximum widths of 365mm front and 460mm rear (Article 12.4) with slick tyres.

Reason: To increase "mechanical" grip to compensate for reduced aerodynamic downforce to facilitate overtaking.

*Only permitted materials may be used to construct the car (Article 15.1).

Reason: To reduce costs.

*At least 5.75% (m/m) of fuel must be from biological sources (Article 19.4.5).

Reason: To keep ahead of developments in fuel for road cars.

*2009: From 2009 each team may make only two changes of bodywork after the start of the season (Article 3.15).

Reason: To reduce costs.

It is intended to allow systems for energy storage and recovery (hybrid systems) from 2009, provided this can be done without causing budgetary difficulties for any of the competing teams.

In addition to the proposed 2008 Technical Regulations it is intended to make changes to the Formula One Sporting Regulations for 2008. These will be submitted to the World Motor Sport Council on March 22, 2006 and will include:

*arrangements for a single tyre supplier in 2008;

*three - Event engines;

*four - Event transmissions;

*weight penalties for early replacement of engine or gearbox;

*testing restrictions;

*a limit of two cars per team at an Event;

*the date for the opening and closing of entries for 2008.

It is not intended to renew the Concorde Agreement provisions which prevent teams selling components or complete chassis to other competitors. It is proposed to allow an entirely free market in this area.

[Zytek_Fan]

I think the regulations will be revised a few times

[Jack_Bauer]

Originally Posted by Zytek_Fan

I think the regulations will be revised a few times

I HOPE the regulations will be revised a few times!

There are some things in there which will be torn apart by the major manufacturers. Firstly, I don't like the idea of control ECUs and I doubt very much whether the teams will like it either. However, it seems to be one of the FIA's most sought after regulations and I can't see them backing down on it in a hurry. I can see this as being one of the major sticking points between the FIA and the GPMA.

Secondly, "New technologies which give a team an advantage for one season but which are then adopted by all teams for subsequent seasons at significant expense will be banned after the end of the first season (Article 2.5)." Errm, wtf? F1 is supposed to be the pinnacle of motorsports engineering. What is the point of even bothering coming up with new and original technological solutions if it's just gonna get banned the next season? The FIA claims that it doesn't want to stifle progress and development, but it can hardly be called progress if by law you HAVE to regress again for the next season. Plus there is likely to be a HUGE grey area in what is defined as a "New technology which gives a team an advantage". There's not a cat in hell's chance of the major teams agreeing to that one IMO.


Thirdly, the plan to limit revs is another one contrary to development and innovation so I can't see them buying that one. Especially as it's the SMALLEST engine manufacturer Cosworth that is currently leading the way in V8 engine revs, apparently.

"2009: From 2009 each team may make only two changes of bodywork after the start of the season (Article 3.15)." No chance that'll stick. The teams will demand a HELL of a lot more freedom than just two changes per year.


Also, I'd like to know what the teams think of the FIA's comment: "It must not be forgotten that the new engine rules (introduced by the FIA to cut power) were originally drawn up and proposed by the car manufacturers to reduce costs. Although some of these manufacturers now claim that costs have risen, it has become clear that for a properly managed engine supplier, costs have fallen substantially. " I wonder who the FIA is having a shameless dig at there? Is it really any business of the FIA's to be commenting on how a private organisation should be run? Cheeky buggers!

I do quite like the weight reduction idea, hadn't heard that one mentioned previously but thought that it would contravene the FIA's desire for slowing the cars down. Makes sense though, seeing as all the cars a WAY under the limit at the moment and are just carrying around bulk needlessly. Also the wider base and slick tyres are good ideas, but we all knew that was gonna happen anyway.

[Matra et Alpine]

The dig is at Ferrari who have CONSTANTLY ignored the requests over years to try to curtail the investment

The ECU one is another one that I think you will be surprised to find the teams will support. Why ? Because some of them were "caught" tampering with the ECU contents and it has always caused them problems. EVERYBODY wants to make sure Renault can't be smarter than them again for launch

But liek you I laughed at almost every jsutification for the rules. Some of it as you poinit out jsut isn't practical AND refelcting the pinnacle of motorsport !!

But as a startign point for them to sort out over the next year it's a reasonalbe strt. SOMEBODY has to put a draft on the table

[Zytek_Fan]

It has been pointed out many times this year that F1 is mismanaged

[Matra et Alpine]

Originally Posted by Zytek_Fan

It has been pointed out many times this year that F1 is mismanaged

I have to remind the "youingsters" that it never has been - and really very few open competitive race formulae ever are

We had the FOCA fights in the 70s and 80s for power, the drivers association in the 70s. Chapman trying to run F1 to HIS rules in the 60s !

Bernie's business approach did screw up many things and still the FOA messes things up between teh regulators and the teams

But it's not new, despite what lots might feel about it

[RacingManiac]

Driver adjustable tire pressure....thats just asking for trouble....

[Matra et Alpine]

Originally Posted by RacingManiac

Driver adjustable tire pressure....thats just asking for trouble....

It's an interesting way to resolve the huge tyre issues that have been a problem for a while

They couldn't really have a pace car that went faster as it would be dangerous for any marshalls on the track. This is aclever way to get aroudn teh tyre temperature drop and does add a totally different angle to driver skill as adjusting outside of pit stops has never been possible before

I'm betting - just like the fuelling rigs - that it will be a Bernie-company that provides teh pressure controllers