2009 season changesA number of changes to both the Sporting and Technical Regulations have been made by the FIA for the 2009 Formula One season. In the case of the Sporting Regulations, the primary aims are increased reliability and further cost reductions. In the case of the technical changes, there are three main objectives - reducing the role of aerodynamics in the cars’ performance; making overtaking easier; and keeping lap times in check. read on.....
Car liveryTeams must run their two cars with essentially the same race livery throughout the season and must seek prior approval for any major changes. read on.....
ClassificationA commonly asked question is how drivers can be given a placing in the official race results even though they retired before the end of the race. The explanation can be found within the FIA regulations regarding classification. read on..... Driver changes and additional driversTeams may use up to four drivers during a season, all of whom may score points in the championship. A driver change may be made with the permission of the stewards any time before the start of qualifying. The new driver must use the engine and tyres allocated to the original driver. read on.....
Driver penaltiesStewards have the power to impose various penalties on a driver if he commits an offence during a race. Offences may include jumping the start, causing an avoidable accident, unfairly blocking another driver, impeding another driver when being lapped, speeding in the pit lane etc. read on..... OfficialsAt every Grand Prix meeting there are seven key race officials who monitor and control the activities of the stewards and marshals to ensure the smooth and safe running of the event in accordance with FIA regulations. read on.....
Parc FermeParc ferme is an enclosed and secure area in the paddock where the cars are weighed and any other checks deemed necessary by race officials are made. Teams must leave their cars here from within three and a half hours of the end of the qualifying on Saturday until five hours before the start of the formation lap on Sunday. read on.....
PointsThe top eight finishers in each Grand Prix score points towards both the drivers’ and the constructors’ world championships, according to the following scale: read on..... Practice and qualifyingAt each Grand Prix meeting all race drivers may participate in two one and a half-hour practice sessions on Friday (Thursday at Monaco), a one-hour session on Saturday morning and a qualifying session on Saturday afternoon. While individual practice sessions are not compulsory, a driver must take part in at least one Saturday session to be eligible for the race. read on.....
Race start procedurePrior to every Grand Prix the teams and drivers must adhere to a very strict starting procedure. This gets underway 30 minutes before the formation lap when the pit lane is opened. read on.....
RefuellingDuring practice, refuelling is only permitted in a team’s garage area or in the FIA garage. Race-refuelling systems may only be used in the pit lane during qualifying and the race. The driver may remain in the car and the engine left switched on, unless a system not approved by the FIA is being used. read on.....
Safety carThe safety car’s main function, as its name implies, is to assist in maintaining safe track conditions throughout the Grand Prix weekend. It is driven by an experienced circuit driver and carries an FIA observer who is in permanent radio contact with race control. read on..... Scrutineering and weighingA team of specially appointed scrutineers has the power to check cars at any point during a Grand Prix weekend to ensure that they fully comply with technical and safety regulations. read on..... Spare cars, engines and gearboxesFIA regulations state that drivers may have no more than two cars available for use at any one time. Spare cars are no longer allowed, though teams may bring additional chassis which can be built up in the event of a race chassis being damaged beyond repair. read on.....
Suspending and resuming a raceIf a race is suspended because of an accident or poor track conditions then red flags will be shown around the circuit. When this happens, the pit exit will be closed and all cars on track must proceed slowly to the red flag line without overtaking and then stop in staggered formation with the leading car at the front. read on..... TestingAs the sport's technical demands have grown in recent years, so too has the importance of testing. With the FIA ever mindful of rising costs, as of 2009 teams are limited to 15,000 test kilometres during a calendar year. Young driver training and promotional events do not count towards this tally. read on.....
TyresFormula One racing features a single tyre supplier, with all teams using identical Bridgestone rubber. The advantages of this (over multiple tyre suppliers) include closer racing and reduced testing and development costs. read on.....
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