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Formula One To Undergo Cost-Cutting Changes For 2009 And 2010 Seasons

In a bid to reduce the astronomical expenses involved in running a modern Formula One team, the FIA has released a list of changes to the rules and regulations for the 2009 F1 series, to be followed by further changes into 2010.
These changes have been u


In a bid to reduce the astronomical expenses involved in running a modern Formula One team, the FIA has released a list of changes to the rules and regulations for the 2009 F1 series, to be followed by further changes into 2010.

These changes have been unanimously agreed to by all of the participating teams, and the World Motor Sport Council, with some of the key changes being a doubling of engine life and a ban on in-season testing.

It’s estimated that the changes for 2009 will see a 30 percent saving for each manufacturer team, with the savings for independent teams being even greater.

Click through for the complete list.

2009

Engine

  • Manufacturers will be required to double the life of their engines.  Each driver will have a maximum of eight engines for racing, and four for testing.
  • Engines limited to 18,000 RPM.
  • No internal re-tuning, however adjustments to trumpets and injectors is allowed.
  • The three-race rule voted for on November 5th 2008 remains in force.
  • An undisclosed list of changes required for Renault’s engine has been unanimously agreed on, while all other engines remain unchanged.

Testing

  • In-season testing is banned, except for scheduled practice sessions on race weekends.

Aerodynamic Research

  • Wind tunnels exceeding 60% scale and wind force of 50m/second are banned from January 1, 2009.
  • Teams will work to present to the FIA a formula for balancing wind tunnel-based research against CFD research.

Factory Activity

  • Factories to close for six weeks per year, in accordance with local laws.

Race Weekend

  • Manpower at race events to be reduced, which will require the sharing of information on fuel and tyres, among other measures.

2010

Power Train

  • Engines will be made available to independent teams for less than EU€5m (AU$10.17m), supplied by either manufacturer teams with a guarantee of continuity, or an independent manufacturer for which a deal must be signed no later than December 20th 2008.
  • The 2011 and 2012 seasons will see the continued use of the above engine.

Chassis

  • A list of all chassis components will be prepared and a decision made as to whether any particular parts will remain a performance differentiator.
  • Some elements defined as performance differentiators will be homologated for the season, and some will be required to use inexpensive materials.
  • Components not defined as performance differentiators will be prescriptive and manufactured in the most economical way possible.

Race Weekend

  • Standardised radio and telemetry systems.
  • Tyre warmers banned, mechanical purging of tyres banned.
  • Refuelling banned.
  • Possible shortening of race distance or duration (pending market research).
  • Factory Activity
  • Further restrictions on aerodynamic research.
  • Tyre force rigs banned.
  • Full analysis of factory facilities to be undertaken, with a view to further restrictions.

Beyond 2010, the FIA and FOTA will investigate technologies for an all-new power train for the 2013 season, with rules specifically devised to ensure that any research invested in this direction would also present real-world energy-saving solutions for regular consumer vehicles.

It’s expected that an enhanced Kinetic Energy Recover System (KERS) will play a major role in any energy-efficient power trains of the future, with KERS already being a non-compulsory part of the 2009 regulations and a proposed standard for 2010.

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