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[darwin dali]

The following measures to reduce costs in Formula One have been agreed by the World Motor Sport Council.

These proposed changes have the unanimous agreement of the Formula One teams, who have played a major role in their development.

Key amongst the changes is the banning of in-season testing in 2009 with low-cost engines supply, the banning of tyre warmers and refuelling from 2010.

2009

Engine
# Engine life to be doubled. Each driver will use a maximum of eight engines for the season plus four for testing (thus 20 per team).

# Limit of 18,000 rpm.

# No internal re-tuning. Adjustment to trumpets and injectors only.

# The three-race rule voted on 5 November remains in force.

# Cost of engines to independent teams will be approximately 50% of 2008 prices.

# Unanimous agreement was reached on a list of proposed changes to the Renault engine for 2009; all other engines will remain unchanged. Comparative testing will not be necessary.

Testing
# No in-season testing except during race weekend during scheduled practice.

Aerodynamic research
# No wind tunnel exceeding 60% scale and 50 metres/sec to be used after 1 January 2009.

# A formula to balance wind tunnel-based research against CFD research, if agreed between the teams, will be proposed to the FIA.


Factory activity
# Factory closures for six weeks per year, to accord with local laws.

Race weekend
# Manpower to be reduced by means of a number of measures, including sharing information on tyres and fuel to eliminate the need for “spotters”.

Sporting spectacle
# Market research is being conducted to gauge the public reaction to a number of new ideas, including possible changes to qualifying and a proposal for the substitution of medals for points for the drivers. Proposals will be submitted to the FIA when the results of the market research are known.

Note: It is estimated that these changes for 2009 will save the manufacturer teams approximately 30% of their budgets compared to 2008, while the savings for independent teams will be even greater.

2010

Power train
# Engines will be available to the independent teams for less than €5 million per team per season. These will either come from an independent supplier or be supplied by the manufacturer teams backed by guarantees of continuity. If an independent supplier, the deal will be signed no later than 20 December 2008.

# This same engine will continue to be used in 2011 and 2012 (thus no new engine for 2011).

# Subject to confirmation of practicability, the same transmission will be used by all teams.

Chassis
# A list of all elements of the chassis will be prepared and a decision taken in respect of each element as to whether or not it will remain a performance differentiator (competitive element).

# Some elements which remain performance differentiators will be homologated for the season.

# Some elements will remain performance differentiators, but use inexpensive materials.

# Elements which are not performance differentiators will be prescriptive and be obtained or manufactured in the most economical possible way.

Race weekend
# Standardised radio and telemetry systems.

# Ban on tyre warmers.

# Ban on mechanical purging of tyres.

# Ban on refuelling.

# Possible reduction in race distance or duration (proposal to follow market research).

Factory activity
# Further restrictions on aerodynamic research.

# Ban on tyre force rigs (other than vertical force rigs).

# Full analysis of factory facilities with a view to proposing further restrictions on facilities.

Longer term

The FIA and FOTA will study the possibility of an entirely new power train for 2013 based on energy efficiency (obtaining more work from less energy consumed). Rules to be framed so as to ensure that research and development of such a power train would make a real contribution to energy-efficient road transport.

An enhanced Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) system is likely to be a very significant element of an energy-efficient power train in the future. In the short term, KERS is part of the 2009 regulations, but is not compulsory. For 2010 FOTA is considering proposals for a standard KERS system. The FIA awaits proposals.

A number of further amendments were adopted for the 2009 and 2010 Sporting and Technical Regulations.



The one regulation that sticks out as shaping the race weekend in a major way is a ban of refueling. It'll be interesting to see what this will do to race strategy.

[Dutchcruijff]

Downside is that a large amount of jobs are going to be lost because of these regulations

[EwanM]

Downside is that a large amount of jobs are going to be lost because of these regulations

2nd that.

[scotty]

So in 2010 we'll have the grid lining up FULL of fuel and with very cold tyres... all the money saved will be used on repairing cars after the inevitable shunts!!

Edit: Who is this independent engine supplier is going to be? Cosworth?

[cap-dude]

^^ Most likey Cosworth.

Though, a possible re-fueling ban. That was a surprise to say the least. I can't honestly see where the major cost cut is there. Though the tyre warmer thing will definitely play into some teams hands, like Red Bull & McLaren, whilst Ferrari & Toyota will have to make sure they don't have trouble warming tyres as they did in 2008.

Another rule I find interesting is the 8 engine maximum. Engines have to last 3 races, so a team like McLaren with perfect engine reliability will have engines for 24 races, out of 17. Really, that rule means nothing. Not even Ferrari had engine reliability that bad last year.

[tifosi]

I dont like the way that F1 is headed

[McLaren Fan]

^^ Most likey Cosworth.

Though, a possible re-fueling ban. That was a surprise to say the least. I can't honestly see where the major cost cut is there. Though the tyre warmer thing will definitely play into some teams hands, like Red Bull & McLaren, whilst Ferrari & Toyota will have to make sure they don't have trouble warming tyres as they did in 2008.

Another rule I find interesting is the 8 engine maximum. Engines have to last 3 races, so a team like McLaren with perfect engine reliability will have engines for 24 races, out of 17. Really, that rule means nothing. Not even Ferrari had engine reliability that bad last year.

The properties of the cars tend to change over the year. In 2005, for instance, the MP4-20 was similar to this year's Ferrari, so tended to suffer in qualifying against the Renault. Also, teams will be aware of the changes in regulations and (re)design their cars accordingly.

[Denthúl]

^^ Most likey Cosworth.

Though, a possible re-fueling ban. That was a surprise to say the least. I can't honestly see where the major cost cut is there. Though the tyre warmer thing will definitely play into some teams hands, like Red Bull & McLaren, whilst Ferrari & Toyota will have to make sure they don't have trouble warming tyres as they did in 2008.

Another rule I find interesting is the 8 engine maximum. Engines have to last 3 races, so a team like McLaren with perfect engine reliability will have engines for 24 races, out of 17. Really, that rule means nothing. Not even Ferrari had engine reliability that bad last year.

Engines blowing up isn't the only thing that teams will have to watch out for. General degredation, particularly the extreme (~40hp) that Toyota experienced this year, is also a factor. However, reliability for even the worst engines on the grid will be hugely improved with revs being dropped to 18,000 and the possibility of shorter races. There are some things that I disagree with but, overall, the 2009 regulations as stated here would not kill the sport. It's the 2010 ones that concern me the most :/

[scotty]

It's the 2010 ones that concern me the most :/

Which issues is it for you? For me...

# Some elements which remain performance differentiators will be homologated for the season.

- Aero, Engines, Suspension... what are they going to include in this? I have a bad feeling this may be political wording for the standardisation of engines (or another major factor if the powers that becannot get their way with the engines).

# Possible reduction in race distance or duration (proposal to follow market research).

- I'm not sure what they think this would achieve exactly! If it ain't broke and all that... plus, we won't see epic, gruelling races like we have seen many a time this season alone! If the race at Belgium had only gone to the second lap, it wouldn't be anywhere near as memborable. That's just one example! Hamilton's fightback at Hockenheim, Barichello storming through on wets at Silverstone, etc etc etc... these things all happened near the end of races.

[Denthúl]

It's the 2010 ones that concern me the most :/

Which issues is it for you? For me...

# Some elements which remain performance differentiators will be homologated for the season.

- Aero, Engines, Suspension... what are they going to include in this? I have a bad feeling this may be political wording for the standardisation of engines (or another major factor if the powers that becannot get their way with the engines).

# Possible reduction in race distance or duration (proposal to follow market research).

- I'm not sure what they think this would achieve exactly! If it ain't broke and all that... plus, we won't see epic, gruelling races like we have seen many a time this season alone! If the race at Belgium had only gone to the second lap, it wouldn't be anywhere near as memborable. That's just one example! Hamilton's fightback at Hockenheim, Barichello storming through on wets at Silverstone, etc etc etc... these things all happened near the end of races.

Exactly that!

To be honest, things like brake discs and ducts, for example, can be standardised for all I care. But engines, wings, KERS etc. should not be standardised.

[cap-dude]

^^ Most likey Cosworth.

Though, a possible re-fueling ban. That was a surprise to say the least. I can't honestly see where the major cost cut is there. Though the tyre warmer thing will definitely play into some teams hands, like Red Bull & McLaren, whilst Ferrari & Toyota will have to make sure they don't have trouble warming tyres as they did in 2008.

Another rule I find interesting is the 8 engine maximum. Engines have to last 3 races, so a team like McLaren with perfect engine reliability will have engines for 24 races, out of 17. Really, that rule means nothing. Not even Ferrari had engine reliability that bad last year.

The properties of the cars tend to change over the year. In 2005, for instance, the MP4-20 was similar to this year's Ferrari, so tended to suffer in qualifying against the Renault. Also, teams will be aware of the changes in regulations and (re)design their cars accordingly.

True, plus, this year will be so different compared to every other year, so its even more likely that the cars will have totally different properties. Even though Toyota were very poor on cold tires in both 2007 & 2008, 2009 there car could be the complete opposite.

Also

porting spectacle
# Market research is being conducted to gauge the public reaction to a number of new ideas, including possible changes to qualifying and a proposal for the substitution of medals for points for the drivers. Proposals will be submitted to the FIA when the results of the market research are known.

I'd say thats the medal system out the window. Its opposed to by just about every racing fan.
Although, I'm still interested in the idea of a proper quali format, where we don't blame great quali laps on fuel loads.

[8-ball]

I just don't get the refueling ban during races. They are still going to use the same amount of fuel during the race it will take away the excitement at pit stops just like the ban on tyre changes. 2010 regs are worrisome but I don't care if they standardise every part on the car but dammit leave the engines alone

[darwin dali]

I just don't get the refueling ban during races. They are still going to use the same amount of fuel during the race it will take away the excitement at pit stops just like the ban on tyre changes. 2010 regs are worrisome but I don't care if they standardise every part on the car but dammit leave the engines alone

They can do away with fuel rigs (and other equipment such as fire-proof suits, etc.) and those costs, fewer people during pit stops and those costs.

[Gaz]

I just don't get the refueling ban during races. They are still going to use the same amount of fuel during the race it will take away the excitement at pit stops just like the ban on tyre changes. 2010 regs are worrisome but I don't care if they standardise every part on the car but dammit leave the engines alone

They can do away with fuel rigs (and other equipment such as fire-proof suits, etc.) and those costs, fewer people during pit stops and those costs.

Not good news if you work in a F1 pit team then

[darwin dali]

I just don't get the refueling ban during races. They are still going to use the same amount of fuel during the race it will take away the excitement at pit stops just like the ban on tyre changes. 2010 regs are worrisome but I don't care if they standardise every part on the car but dammit leave the engines alone

They can do away with fuel rigs (and other equipment such as fire-proof suits, etc.) and those costs, fewer people during pit stops and those costs.

Not good news if you work in a F1 pit team then

Well, they want to cut personnel to around 250 per team anyway - so, the refueling ban would help achieve this goal. I think 250 employees is a way more realistic number than what we're currently seeing where teams count up to or even more than 1000 heads. Just imagine all those wages and fringe benefits!