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[What's Burning?]

In the midst of all the car reveals, some very interesting rule changes announced today for 2015. The tire warmer will separate the boys from the men.

ESPNF1 Tyre warmers will be banned and the minimum weight of cars changed to suit heavier drivers in 2015, after the FIA announced a series of changes to the technical regulations.

The changes were decided upon by the F1 strategy group and FIA World Motor Sport Council and still have to be signed off by the F1 Commission, but should see tyre warmers outlawed - a move that has been suggested before to save costs but not adopted amid the safety concerns of driving on cold tyres. The ban will require all-new compounds from Pirelli, but the Italian manufacturer has been open to the idea in the past.

The increase in the minimum weight is designed to level the playing field for heavier drivers, who are at an innate disadvantage this year due to the heavier powertrains in the cars. The minimum weight for car and driver is being upped by 1kg this year to 691kg to account for heavier tyres, but will raise by 10kg to 701kg next season.

In a further push to save costs there are also changes to the 2015 sporting regulations. As of next season a team will not have to design and manufacture its own suspension components and brake ducts to be considered a constructor. Sharing parts such as suspension components has been on the cost cutting agenda for some time and is favoured by many teams as it stops short of full-blown customer cars.

There are also some minor changes to this year's regulations, including a new five second driver penalty that can be added to pit stops by the stewards. If they deem fit, the stewards can enforce a five-second period of inactivity when the car enters its pit box before the mechanics start working on it.

Cars will also be banned from stopping on the slowing-down lap in order to save fuel for post-race checks. In recent years drivers have nearly run their cars dry and then stopped after crossing the line to leave enough fuel in the tank for a sample. That will be banned under the new proposal that requires all cars to return to parc ferme, making life tougher for the teams as they contend with 100kg fuel limits this season.

However, engineers and mechanics have been given a concession with a slight change to the paddock "curfew" for team members. Previously each team was given two "jokers" per season to allow them to work after the curfew and that has now been upped to six because of the more complicated power units this year.

[racechick]

You beat me to it Wb! I spotted this on the judges site. You may have covered it all with your post. I like the last bit, that there is no mention of the double points for the last race. Oooo hope so. Here's what judge 13 posted.........



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Dare you look? More FIA changes to the Sporting/Technical regulations

An extraordinary meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) took place today (23 January) in Geneva, Switzerland. The following decisions were taken:

Changes to the 2014 Sporting Regulations, which are subject to the rubber stamp of the F1 commission and teams are:-

1) The Stewards may now impose a five second time penalty which can be taken before work is carried out on the car in a pit stop

2) Team personnel must also wear helmets during qualifying, as well as the race

3) Drivers may not stop on the slowing down lap to save fuel for sampling and subsequent analysis; this will not be considered justifiable reason for stopping

4) For 2014 only, each team will be allowed six curfew ‘jokers’, previously there were two permitted. This is to allow more flexibility for working on the new engines and cars



There are also amendments to the 2014 Technical Regulations, subject to agreement of the F1 Commission and teams:

1) The weight of the car, without fuel, must not be less than 691kg at all times during the Event. The weight limit has increased by 1kg to take into account the difference in weight between the tyres in 2013 and 2014

Looking forward, the FIA are legislating for changes in the 2015 Sporting Regulations, again subject to agreement of the F1 Commission:

1) To be considered as a constructor, teams will now not need to design and manufacture suspension and brake ducts

And here are the 2015 amendments to the 2015 Technical Regulations, also subject to agreement of the F1 Commission:

1) The car minimum weight has been increased by 10kg, to 701kg, for 2015

2) All tyre heating devices will be prohibited in 2015

3) For safety reasons, the front part of the chassis will not be able to climb too steeply rearward of the front of the chassis.

The FIA’s plan to introduce cost control regulations was also advanced with teams agreeing unanimously to prepare draft regulations to go before the World Motor Sport Council in June.

No mention was made of any change to the rule to award double points for the final race of the season.

Chew on that TJ13 courtroom commentators

[Jabberwocky]

If the weight limit keeps going up like it is, F1 drivers will need a HGV license.

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[1Lemon]

Do any teams not currently make their own suspension and brake ducts?

[CookinFlat6]

I can see many cars driving at 20 mph on full electric power after crossing the finishing line

[What's Burning?]

Do any teams not currently make their own suspension and brake ducts?

That's the point, they don't have to make their own suspension and brake ducts, purchase them from another team and save money. I suspect that we'll have suspension vendors like we have engine vendors.

[sagi58]

Is it even viable for a new team to design/produce every aspect of their car?

[Jabberwocky]

If you include wishbone as suspension it is a lot of the cars design. What they are saying is that the team would have to design the chassis and wings. As the tyres, wheels, brake pads, calipers, uprights, wishbone, dampers and springs can be bought in.

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[sagi58]

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear. I do realize no one designs/produces ""everything""!!
I guess I was just wondering if this will make a big difference in their budgets??

[What's Burning?]

Of course. It's items they don't have to design built,test etc, if it wouldn't save money they wouldn't have really done it. This will allow the lower echelon teams to focus more resources on chassis and wing design. The lack of tire warmers will save money as well. Let's see who can control a car with cold tires out of the pits.

[sagi58]

Oh, I understand the engines being a huge part of the cost;
but, didn't realize the suspension and brake ducts were too!

[sagi58]

... Let's see who can control a car with cold tires out of the pits.

Predictions?

[Jabberwocky]

Apart from initial cost would tyre warmers cost much? I suppose it is more cargo to ship around the world.

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[CookinFlat6]

Let's see who can control a car with cold tires out of the pits.

And let's see who can warm up their tyres quickest

[What's Burning?]

... Let's see who can control a car with cold tires out of the pits.

Predictions?

Now that would be silly, to predict something for 2015 when the 2014 season has yet to begin.