World Motorsport Council confirms F1 rule changes

[fpv_gtho]

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/head...18185820.shtml

The World Motor Sport Council met in Barcelona today. The following is a press release from the FIA detailing regulation changes as well as the 2007 race calendar which no longer features the San Marino Grand Prix.

In regard to the US$5 million fine against the National Sporting Authority of Turkey (TOSFED) and the Organisers of the Turkish Grand Prix (MSO), a US$2.5 million payment from MSO has been unanimously accepted. This removes MSO’s liability. The remaining monies are still owed by TOSFED.

The following sporting regulations were approved for the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Practice
Teams may only use two cars in any one practice session. A nominated third driver or either race driver can use these cars in the session. The two free practice sessions on the first day of practice have been extended from one hour to ninety minutes each.

Tyres
The single tyre supplier is required to provide identical quantities and specifications of tyres to all teams over a calendar year. It may only provide two specifications of tyre at each Event. The quantity of dry-weather tyres each driver may use at an Event has been increased from seven sets to 14. A maximum of four sets will be available to each driver for the first day of practice and 10 for the remainder of the Event.


Engines
The two-race engine regulations will now only apply to the second day of practice and the day of the race.

Engines homologated and used during the last two Events of 2006 must now be used during the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Safety Car
When the Safety Car is deployed no car is permitted to enter the pits until all are bunched up behind the Safety Car. This is to remove all incentive for cars to be driven quickly back to the pits for refuelling when the Safety Car is deployed.

Before the Safety Car returns to the pits any lapped car between cars running on the lead lap must pass those cars and the safety car. It may then proceed around the track to take up position at the back of the line of cars behind the safety car.

Before a race is resumed any lapped car between cars running on the lead lap must pass those cars and the safety car and then proceed around the track to take up position at the back of the line of cars behind the safety car.

Stewards
The stewards may now impose grid place penalties.

The following sporting regulations were approved for the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship.

FIA ECU to be fitted for all testing in addition to races.

A 10 place grid penalty will be issued for an engine change, as opposed to a weight penalty.

A five place grid penalty will be issued for a gearbox change, as opposed to a weight penalty.

Gear ratios may be changed once per race under supervision.

Damaged gear ratios and dog rings may be changed without penalty provided it is evident physical damage has not been made deliberately.

Ferrari’s request to supply two teams with engines in the 2008 championship has been accepted.

A number of technical regulations were also approved for the 2007 and 2008 championships.

Safety
A GPS marshalling system, involving a cockpit light display of flag signals, will be introduced to the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship.

2007 FIA Formula One World Championship
18 March AUS Australia
08 April MAL Malaysia
15 April BRN Bahrain
13 May E Spain
27 May MC Monaco
10 June CDN Canada
17 June USA United States
01 July F France
08 July GB Great Britain
22 July D Germany**
05 August H Hungary
26 August TR Turkey
09 September I Italy
16 September B Belgium
30 September J Japan*
07 October CN China*
21 October BR Brazil

*Pending the ASN’s confirmation.

**The 2007 German Grand Prix will take place at Nürburgring. In 2008, it will switch to Hockenheim. It will continue to alternate between these two circuits thereafter.

(It was noted that no agreement was in place for an 18th race and there will continue to be 17 races in the 2007 calendar).

E.A.
Source FIA

Some good things, some bad things there i guess. IMO the FIA have done a backflip (again) retaining the grid penalties for engine changes. It seems theyve also made any engine failures on Friday not impact the 2 race weekend rule, which will be interesting in a positive way.

[lightweight]

Originally Posted by According to the rules

The two-race engine regulations will now only apply to the second day of practice and the day of the race.

Does this mean that on qualifying cars can use another engine?

This means that qualifying will be without race fuel, right?

It seems too good to be true

[fpv_gtho]

No, qualifying is run on the 2nd day of practice. Theres nothing there indicating how they'll run in qualy regarding fuel.

[2ndclasscitizen]

Any idea as to when an announcement regarding the single tyre supplier will be made?

[fpv_gtho]

Theyve already announced Bridgestone for '08, and i think its too late for any more tyre manufacturers to enter next year

[2ndclasscitizen]

Ah ok, must've missed that one

[pimento]

So.. cars will be unlapped during safety car periods? Makes extended pit stops matter a lot less...

[fpv_gtho]

Originally Posted by pimento

So.. cars will be unlapped during safety car periods? Makes extended pit stops matter a lot less...

Perhaps, but it uncomplicates things for the restarts. The FIA seems intent on catering to the fans now and this is probably one of the things they intend to do that with.

[Zytek_Fan]

Is the qualfying format staying the same?
I kinda like the 3 session qualy as opposed to the good ol' 1 flying lap

[fpv_gtho]

I think most people agree, i havent heard a word about changing it, yet.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

Whats San Marino going to do without the Grand Prix?

[go.pawel]

Originally Posted by IBrake4Rainbows

Whats San Marino going to do without the Grand Prix?

The same as always. Sell post stamps, wine and banking services

[Kitdy]

What is insane and dumb is the lack of engine development. The same engines until 2010 is absolutely ludacris. The sport is about constant development, cash, and technology. Bernie and Max are morons that deserve to be banned from F1 forever. Their cost saving iniatitives and desire to have more privateer teams is stupid. I want to see no more of this 2 race engine busisness, slick tires (and more allowed per weekend), and no more technology freezes. This is THE premier racing series in the world, and stopping technological improvement is making this sport a farce (albeit a very entertaining one).

[h00t_h00t]

The politics is more interesting than the racing.

Surely by 2010 GP2 cars will be faster?

[pimento]

I imagine it the tech becomes such an issue they'll reverse that decision. Especially if the GP2 cars are faster.