F1 2009 Season Sporting Rules & Regs Changes

Welcome back fellow race fans, to the beginning of the premier open wheel racing series’ exciting 2009 season, both here, abroad, and for this weekend only, Down Under. Thank you for joining me, the Speed Geek, as we drop the green flag on the opening round of the FIA Formula 1 Championship, with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne’s Albert Park. Indy car fans will have to wait just a’lil while longer their action to hit the track. I’d like to begin by summarizing for you some of the many new & interesting changes to the sporting & tech rules and regulations. Keep in mind, the overall goal for most of the changes is related to achieving cost reduction and leveling out performance among the field, in an effort to attract new teams and provide better racing for the fans. While some teams will always object to at least 1 ( if not all ) rule changes, the most recent attempted rule change the FIA tried to implement at the 11^th hour, was to award the driver’s championship to the driver with the most wins. Although, allowing the current point system to apply to all other driver’s championship standings and constructor’s championship. The F1 teams association heavily protested, as the rules state any change made this late in the off season requires an unanimous vote, which was not achievable. However, it is said to be implemented in the 2010 season, but this is the 20-09 season, so lets concentrate on current year changes.

The two most obvious visual changes are to the aerodynamic packages and tyres. Aero is probably the most significant noticeable change, as regulations to the overall dimensions will eliminate most of the aero aides previously placed all over the car, especially the side-pod. The rear wings will now be taller but much narrower and front wings will be lower and wider, with a driver adjustable flap that the driver will be allowed to change the angle of twice per lap. These changes are in effort to create more over-taking by reducing downforce dependency. The rear diffuser dimensions and placement is also updated to reduce downforce generated; however, as is the case in most recent F1 seasons, several teams are being accused of running illegal diffusers, but we will let the SpeedTV F1 analyst hammer that issue out for you over this race weekend, so keep an ear-out for that topic. In addition, reduction of downforce from aero packages is met with a more grip because after a decade of absence, SLICKS are back! Yes, that’s right, slick tyres are back on F1 cars. All other rules regarding the tyres will remain the same as last year, except for there will now be a green stripe on the sidewall of the softer compound and on the center groove of the wet tyres. Bridgestone will also not use the same two tyre compound combination at two consecutive race weekends. The combo of less aero and slick tyres should make for reduced high-speed cornering performance. All this is of course is yet to be determined in action.

As for the kinetic energy recovery system, otherwise known as KERS, it is an option for teams this year. KERS will provide an additional 80 horses at the push of a button, reminiscent of the “push-to-pass” button in CART. However, teams will want to take into account the weight of the KERS hardware when considering whether or not to use it. Speaking of weight, FIA will make public the starting weight of every car, as to allow the spectators to guess how much fuel is the cars are starting with and estimate when their first pit-stop will take place. Finally, on to what every petro-head considers to be the heart of any car, especially race cars, the engine, vroom-vroom! There have been required engine modifications in an effort to increase reliability. Rev limits are down to 18K rpm and drivers are limited to 8 engines, with the teams allowed 4 more engines for testing. Any driver exceeding their 8 engines, will incur a 10 spot grid penalty, or move to the back of the grid if changed after qualifying. Gearboxes are limited to 1 for every four consecutive races per car, and a 5 grid spot penalty will be assessed to the driver with any unscheduled gearbox changes. Renault is the only team allowed to continuously develop their engines this season, in an attempt to play catch-up regarding horsepower.

Some of these changes are probably the most significant and exciting changes in recent history, and I look forward to enjoying how these new cars will perform against each other on the track in competition. I will try to clarify the other rules & regulations as they become relevant throughout the season and keep everyone up-to-date on any other changes. I will also try to provide a race preview for every race, including a brief recap of the previous race weekend throughout the season for both IRL and F1. I hope I have provided you with a decent summarization of these important changes to the cars. Please join me on the Speedtv.com F1 pre-race chat with their resident analyst and all the other F1 fans this Saturday night, and for the race itself, which will also be broadcasted on Speed TV (check your local listings). Enjoy your motorsports weekend!!! I know I will!