FIA has confirm no plans to publish the starting weights
Discussion
Interesting developments, wonder if it was a team decision? - Autosport
The FIA has confirmed there are no plans to publish the starting weights of cars this year, meaning fans will not get an instant glimpse as to which engines are the most fuel-efficient.
Last year, the FIA revealed the weights of cars after qualifying - which showed the different fuel strategies that drivers would be running in the grands prix.
Although there is a ban on refuelling this year, there were some suggestions over the winter that the publication of fuel weights would remain anyway. Had that been the case, then it would have delivered an automatic reference point as to which cars were the most fuel-efficient - as they would carry less fuel than their rivals.
However, in the final version of the 2010 Formula 1 sporting regulations, the FIA has removed the rule that meant the fuel weights were published.
The ban on refuelling will put a greater emphasis on tyre change times this year, and the FIA has moved to stamp out teams using exotic pit machinery to help improve times.
Regulation 23.1 c) states: "Powered devices which assist in lifting any part of a car are forbidden in the pit lane during a race."
The FIA regulations also approve the new points structure (25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1), and the fact that those drivers who make it through to Q3 will have to start the race on the same tyres they used to set their best qualifying lap.
There have also been clarifications about the rules relating to the extra test day that teams can have access to in the event of needing a replacement driver in the middle of the season.
The test will only be allowed if the substitute driver has not raced in F1 in the previous two calendar years - and can only take place on a circuit not hosting an F1 race. The test must take place within a period 14 days before and 14 days after the substitution.
Also, if the test takes place and the replacement driver is not needed then the team will have a day of pre-season testing docked from the following year.
There has also been a further tweak of the engine change regulations, relating to what happens if a driver exceeds the maximum eight engines allowed during the season.
The revised 28.4 a) regulation stats: "Should a driver use more than eight engines he will drop ten places on the starting grid at the first Event during which each additional engine is used. If two such additional engines are used during a single Event the driver concerned will drop ten places on the starting grid at that Event and at the following Event."
A new rule has also been imposed stating that if a driver is slow away on the formation lap and loses places, unless he gets back into his original start position by the first safety car line, he will have to start from the pitlane.
In addition, the FIA has confirmed the parts that must be homologated before the start of the 2010 season, and cannot be replaced unless there are proper reliability or safety reasons. They are the survival cell, the principal and second roll structures, front, rear and side impact structures, the front wheel, and the rear wheel.
The FIA has confirmed there are no plans to publish the starting weights of cars this year, meaning fans will not get an instant glimpse as to which engines are the most fuel-efficient.
Last year, the FIA revealed the weights of cars after qualifying - which showed the different fuel strategies that drivers would be running in the grands prix.
Although there is a ban on refuelling this year, there were some suggestions over the winter that the publication of fuel weights would remain anyway. Had that been the case, then it would have delivered an automatic reference point as to which cars were the most fuel-efficient - as they would carry less fuel than their rivals.
However, in the final version of the 2010 Formula 1 sporting regulations, the FIA has removed the rule that meant the fuel weights were published.
The ban on refuelling will put a greater emphasis on tyre change times this year, and the FIA has moved to stamp out teams using exotic pit machinery to help improve times.
Regulation 23.1 c) states: "Powered devices which assist in lifting any part of a car are forbidden in the pit lane during a race."
The FIA regulations also approve the new points structure (25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1), and the fact that those drivers who make it through to Q3 will have to start the race on the same tyres they used to set their best qualifying lap.
There have also been clarifications about the rules relating to the extra test day that teams can have access to in the event of needing a replacement driver in the middle of the season.
The test will only be allowed if the substitute driver has not raced in F1 in the previous two calendar years - and can only take place on a circuit not hosting an F1 race. The test must take place within a period 14 days before and 14 days after the substitution.
Also, if the test takes place and the replacement driver is not needed then the team will have a day of pre-season testing docked from the following year.
There has also been a further tweak of the engine change regulations, relating to what happens if a driver exceeds the maximum eight engines allowed during the season.
The revised 28.4 a) regulation stats: "Should a driver use more than eight engines he will drop ten places on the starting grid at the first Event during which each additional engine is used. If two such additional engines are used during a single Event the driver concerned will drop ten places on the starting grid at that Event and at the following Event."
A new rule has also been imposed stating that if a driver is slow away on the formation lap and loses places, unless he gets back into his original start position by the first safety car line, he will have to start from the pitlane.
In addition, the FIA has confirmed the parts that must be homologated before the start of the 2010 season, and cannot be replaced unless there are proper reliability or safety reasons. They are the survival cell, the principal and second roll structures, front, rear and side impact structures, the front wheel, and the rear wheel.
Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Friday 12th February 09:48
Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Friday 12th February 10:06
i don't see why a driver cannot be out of place on the formation lap, it's not a massive deal is it, certainly nothing worth a pit lane start. what if they are all in place at the time of the first safety car line, but someone goes off or spins (or just caught out in the concertina) after that?
i'm also assuming that if someone drops back one position, then as well as him getting penalised, the person that overtook him will be penalised as well? it's yet another stupid rule.
i'm also assuming that if someone drops back one position, then as well as him getting penalised, the person that overtook him will be penalised as well? it's yet another stupid rule.
skinny said:
i don't see why a driver cannot be out of place on the formation lap, it's not a massive deal is it, certainly nothing worth a pit lane start.
surely the issue is getting back into position in time? and safely! I'm sure it used to be that way or even that if you fell back on the formation lap, tough, start from where you've ended up.I can remember someone a long long time ago in (touring cars) trying to get back to position in too much of a hurry and getting side swiped by a car weaving to warm their tyres - not a happy bunny as I remember!
llewop said:
skinny said:
i don't see why a driver cannot be out of place on the formation lap, it's not a massive deal is it, certainly nothing worth a pit lane start.
surely the issue is getting back into position in time? and safely! I'm sure it used to be that way or even that if you fell back on the formation lap, tough, start from where you've ended up.I can remember someone a long long time ago in (touring cars) trying to get back to position in too much of a hurry and getting side swiped by a car weaving to warm their tyres - not a happy bunny as I remember!
So if they spin or have a problem on the formation lap there will be even less time for them to get back into position and even more chance that they will take risks getting there.
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