We are 6 races down. And it has been quite an eventful season already, thanks to revolutionary change by FIA to bar use of electronic driver aids. Next season is about to bring 4 major confirmed changes.
1) Limit on Team Budgets-
A dream come true for teams struggling for consistent championship points. There has been a hue and cry about top teams spending extravagantly on developments. This decision is expected to bring the game to a fair level. But capping amount is yet to be finalised. Also, what will come under this limit is unknown. If rumors are to be believed, driver contracts and marketing may not come under FIA scanner. Importantly, it is feared that Constructors can easily outsource the development to hide it from FIA. So, to keep complete tab will therefore be a challenging task for FIA.
This has gone to a new level with another proposals by F1 bosses. Read here
2) Introduction of slick tyres and ban on tyre warmers-
Use of Slick tyres was banned in F1 since 1998. Slick tyres are the ones which do not have any tread pattern on them. These treads are essential to remove water from under the tyres. According to Wiki and one Automobile Engineering book that I have, treads help in better traction under wet conditions. But under dry conditions, slick tyres provide more traction. They deform less under stress conditions and hence can be made of softer compound, allowing better grip.
Tyre warmers were to be banned. This would have only affected the initial laps. But it has been cancelled now. Tyre warmers are here to stay.
3) Introduction of KERS-
I just loved this 1. KERS stands for Kinetic Energy Recovery System. This is already used for commercial purpose. The principle can be explained by considering the basic braking principle. Breaks apply force opposite to the direction of motion of the wheels and dissipate the energy into heat. KERS uses this energy and converts it into some other sort of useful energy, eg. Charging a capacitor bank or storing it in a flywheel, as in the case of Formula 1 cars. This energy can be used in peak energy demand periods for additional boost. Let Wiki enlighten you on this subject..here you go
4) Driver Adjustable Bodywork-
One more interesting change is on board front wing adjustment control to driver. This will be a ‘REAL’ change that will kill the ‘ALLEGED’ monotony of the game.
For latest round of budget cutting measures and new changes click here
July 9, 2008 at 3:16 pm |
There is an error here, slick tires were not banned in 1988 they were banned at the end of 1997 for the 1998 season.
July 9, 2008 at 4:36 pm |
Thank you Jon..did not notice that 1…I have made the change. Thanks again!
August 7, 2008 at 12:58 pm |
[...] control to driver. This will be a ‘REAL’ change that will kill the ‘ALLEGED’ monotony of the game. Rule changes for Formula-1 season 2009 Formula-1 & Stuff I am able to understand the first 2 points but not that much on the 3rd point………can some one [...]
September 10, 2008 at 12:02 pm |
While treads in tires on passenger cars and rain tires are to remove rain from underneath, that is not why they were implemented in F1. The main reason was to allow the cars to move around under braking, cornering, and acceleration, to try and make the cars look more exciting while at speed.
I don’t think it worked really, so I’m glad their going back to slicks. Their also allowing for wider tires (365mm front, 460mm rear, vs 355mm/380 in 2008) to aid in mechanical grip. This, combined with the supposed 50% reduction in downforce next year, should make the season much more competitive, with a lot more passing.
I wish we could have all of this, and the 3.5liter V10’s back… Oh well, it’s’ a good start; turbos returning on the horizon?
September 10, 2008 at 1:37 pm |
Its about time. Turbo technology has developed to a new level now. Like KERS, turbo will be an immensely helpful boosting device during peak power needs. Hope they consider it during next engine regulation change.
October 14, 2008 at 6:10 am |
The reason they banned slicks was to keep speeds lower and therefore make the race safer, not to make the cars look more dynamic.
The FIA went through a period at the time to make the racing safer and numerous idea’s were born to slow the cars down, one of which was limiting some of the wings on the cars.
This plus banning slicks took away a lot of the grip by removing surface contact and down-force therefore drivers were forced to drive slower.
October 14, 2008 at 7:34 am |
Looks like FIA wants to speed things up a bit. Anyway, if the next season has as many wet weather races as we have seen this time, slicks will be out of question for half the season.
October 20, 2008 at 12:52 pm |
OWG?? Overtaking work group. Heres an idea. Ban all F1 street racing
October 20, 2008 at 4:49 pm |
Now why is that? Monaco and Singapore gave us some amazing races. Why ban them?
January 23, 2009 at 12:53 pm |
How about this for a suggestion, have a power/down force ratio. The more bhp you have the less down force you are allowed. Make teams chose a horse power limit at the begining of the season. That should mix things up a bit, it is bound to create cars that are either stong on the streights or in the turns. It should also stop mid-season engine changes by those who have vast amounts of cash to spend.
January 27, 2009 at 3:46 am |
Thats an interesting solution. Teams will have to decide their priorities before the season itself. But this will take a lot of reinvestment in terms of engine development for every team.
And also, it looks like FIA is trying to dumb down the game a lot by bringing uniformity. This regulation will make the teams think again. So goes against FIA targets!
February 10, 2009 at 8:35 am |
I think the cost cutting is a good thing and has been coming for a long time. The story about not being able to overtake was well put by Bernie,drivers do not overtake because they dont have to. They race only for a position needed to achieve victory. Bernies idea about the medals was indeed a good one!
If this is introduced,I think we will certainly see more overtaking
May 20, 2009 at 6:07 pm |
Solid info. I will definitely come back again soon.