WHAT'S NEW FOR 2005? Formula 1 will be a very different sport when the teams line up for the first race of the year in Melbourne on March 6.
This winter has seen a raft of new regulations – perhaps the biggest overhaul of the rule book since – oooh – 2003.
Here’s your cut-out-and-keep guide to the new season. But beware – some things, such as the qualifying format, may change again!
QualifyingThe 2005 grid will be decided by two qualifying sessions, one on Saturday afternoon and a second on Sunday morning.
The single-lap format introduced in 2003 remains – but the twist is that the grid will be decided by adding together a driver’s times from both sessions.
Cars will run with low fuel levels in the Saturday session, going out in reverse order from their finishing positions at the previous race.
On Sunday, the running order will be decided by the results of the previous day’s session, with the fastest car going last.
The decision to use aggregate times from both sessions means that a driver’s raw pace on empty tanks will now contribute to their position on the grid. This means that race strategy will arguably have less influence on the make-up of the grid than it did before.
TyresPut simply, drivers will have to use the same set of tyres for qualifying and the entire race distance.
A tyre can only be changed if it is punctured or damaged.
As in previous seasons, drivers will choose from two tyre compounds after Friday practice.
However, once this choice is made, they will only be allocated three more sets – one for Saturday morning practice, one for qualifying and the race and an additional set in case of a puncture or accident damage.
Needless to say, 2005-spec rubber will have to be much harder than in previous seasons, while drivers will have to conserve their tyres. This should benefit smoother drivers such as Jenson Button.
AerodynamicsThe FIA have tweaked these rules in a bid to reduce downforce. The most noticeable of these changes are to the front and rear wings.
Front wings must now be higher, while rear wing elements must now be further forward on the car. The FIA has also clamped down on rear diffusers.
While the FIA hoped that these measures would reduce downforce by around a quarter, in reality the teams are already beginning to nibble away at this performance deficit.
EnginesEngines must now last for two full race weekends, as opposed to one in 2004. That means a driver is unlikely to clock up anywhere near as much mileage in practice.
As in 2004, a driver changes engine ahead of qualifying, they will drop 10 places on the grid. Should an engine be changed between qualifying and the race, they will be sent to the very back.
If an engine is changed, the driver must use that particular power unit for the whole of the rest of the weekend and the next race.
But if a driver retires with an engine failure during a race, they will not be penalised at the following event.
http://www.itv-f1.com/Feature.aspx?Type=General&PO_ID=31974
Wonder how many teams will have reliable enough engines to last two races.
/jarmo
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