Compared to the major changes introduced for 2011 - DRS, KERS, Pirelli tyres etc. - those for the 2012 season may seem relatively minor. Some, however, will still have a significant impact...
No blown diffusers
The FIA is clamping down on engine mapping and exhaust positioning to minimise designers' use of exhaust gases in a car's aerodynamics, effectively outlawing blown diffusers.
Crash tests
There will be tougher side impact testing and new cars must now pass all required FIA crash tests prior to any on-track testing.
Safety car
During a safety-car period, all lapped cars will be allowed to unlap themselves and then join the back of the pack, ensuring a clean re-start without slower cars impeding those racing for the leading positions.
Driving etiquette
Drivers may no longer leave the track without a justifiable reason, i.e. cutting a chicane on reconnaissance laps or in-laps to save time and fuel, and drivers may no longer move back onto the racing line having moved off it to defend a position.
Race suspensions
There will now be a maximum race time of four hours to ensure that a lengthy suspension of a race does not result in a race that could run up to eight hours if left unregulated. Cars which were in the pit lane when the race was suspended will now be allowed to re-join the cars on the grid in the position they were in at the time of the race suspension.
Testing
In addition to the established pre-season tests, one three-day test will be carried out during the season. Formerly there was none.
Tyre allocation All tyres allocated to a driver may now be used on the first day of practice. Formerly only three sets were permitted on the opening day of the Grand Prix weekend. Car Weight:
Minimum car weight increased to 620 kg from the previously 605 kg, this is to accommodate the larger fuel tank.
Mid-race refueling banned:
This is perhaps the biggest disappointment for the F1 fans. You almost can hear a collective sigh! The excitement of the pit stop will be limited to the tire changes.
The cars will now be modified to accommodate the fuel for the entire race. This as deemed dangerous, but in the recent past, the fires in the pit lane numbered more than the ones on the track. Although this solves some of the logistics problems of the teams and helps in maintaining a safer pit lane, this FIA decision will be harsh on the fans and followers.
Tyre warmers banned:
The tire warmers were supposed to be banned for the 2009 season, but due to concerns from Bridgestone, they were permitted. There are concerns about the tire temperatures coming up to the optimum levels without the tire warmers. The tires will now be pre-heated, as in some other single seater formats.
Qualifying rules:
The cars will now run on low fuel for the Saturday qualifiers. Q3 in season 2009 required the cars to run on race fuel, with the heavier cars posting higher times, but running longer before pitting. This decision gives the drivers to post a quicker time without worrying about the fuel load in the belly.
Number of teams:
FIA has now allowed thirteen teams on the grid, up from the earlier twelve. With the new bunch of teams coming in, it will surely make the sport more interesting. The Brawn GP's 2009 season is a reminder that a debutant team can go the distance.
Penalty changes:
The stewards can now relegate a driver any number of grid positions in the next race, if he is involved in a racing incident. Earlier, the drivers were dropped 10 positions.
KERS Regulations:
The KERS energy storage, either the battery or the flywheel now needs to be located between the driver and the engine. The 15 kg weight increase cuts short the ballast benefit that the heavier drivers enjoyed, and encourage them to rely on the KERS system more than they did in the 2009 season. The rear brake pressure may also be reduced via a valve while activating the KERS.
Suspending and resuming a race:
In case a race is suspended due to a race or poor racing conditions, red flags will be shown at the trackside. At this point, the pit lanes will be closed. The cars will then slowly proceed and stop in a staggered position behind the race leader. The team can work on the cars on track, and a ten minute warning will be given before the race is resumed. Any car pitting while the race is suspended, may be worked on there, but will be awarded a drive through penalty after the race is resumed. If the race cannot be resumed, the points will be awarded based on the standings in the penultimate lap.
Tyres:
The front tyres will now be smaller than the ones on the 2009 cars. This reduces the ballast dependence and performance of the cars. This will also induce reliance on the KERS. The tyres can now only be inflated with air or nitrogen, and the previously used CO2 is now banned. The drivers are also to start the race on the same set of tires used in Q3.
New Points System:
Now, instead of the top eight, the top 10 will be awarded championship points. The points format is also changed to;
1st: 25 points (previously 25)
2nd: 18 points (previously 20)
3rd: 15 points (previously 15)
4th: 12 points (previously 10)
5th: 10 points (previously 8)
6th: 8 points (previously 6)
7th: 6 points (previously 5)
8th: 4 points (previously 3)
9th: 2 points (previously 2)
10th: 1 point (previously 1)
Budget Cap:
The teams can now voluntarily opt for a £40m budget cap, enabling them to enjoy certain technical freedom, in comparison to the teams who will exceed this cap.
Reservations for Budget-capped teams
Testing:
These teams will not be limited to testing regulations. There is no cap on number of mileage or dates for testing. The non-capped teams will be restricted to 15,000 km between the 1st January to the first week of testing. There are also no wind tunnel testing restrictions in terms of scale and speed. The non-capped teams will only be permitted to use a 60% scale model at a 50 m/s rolling road speed.
Gearbox and engines:
There is no limit to the number of gearboxes and engines that capped teams may use. The non-capped teams will only be allowed to use a four-race gearbox and eight engines per season.
Front and rear wings:
The non capped teams will enjoy freedom of moving the front wing up to 10° any number of times during the race, while the non-capped teams are only allowed a 6° movement twice per lap. The capped teams are also allowed a moveable rear wings, an advantage over the non-capped teams, who are banned from doing so.
Four-Wheel Drive and KERS:
The capped teams can opt of either a 2WD or a 4WD format, while the non-capped teams are only restricted to a 2WD. The KERS can also be activated on all the four wheels instead of the rear wheels on the non-capped teams.
No blown diffusers
The FIA is clamping down on engine mapping and exhaust positioning to minimise designers' use of exhaust gases in a car's aerodynamics, effectively outlawing blown diffusers.
Crash tests
There will be tougher side impact testing and new cars must now pass all required FIA crash tests prior to any on-track testing.
Safety car
During a safety-car period, all lapped cars will be allowed to unlap themselves and then join the back of the pack, ensuring a clean re-start without slower cars impeding those racing for the leading positions.
Driving etiquette
Drivers may no longer leave the track without a justifiable reason, i.e. cutting a chicane on reconnaissance laps or in-laps to save time and fuel, and drivers may no longer move back onto the racing line having moved off it to defend a position.
Race suspensions
There will now be a maximum race time of four hours to ensure that a lengthy suspension of a race does not result in a race that could run up to eight hours if left unregulated. Cars which were in the pit lane when the race was suspended will now be allowed to re-join the cars on the grid in the position they were in at the time of the race suspension.
Testing
In addition to the established pre-season tests, one three-day test will be carried out during the season. Formerly there was none.
Tyre allocation All tyres allocated to a driver may now be used on the first day of practice. Formerly only three sets were permitted on the opening day of the Grand Prix weekend. Car Weight:
Minimum car weight increased to 620 kg from the previously 605 kg, this is to accommodate the larger fuel tank.
Mid-race refueling banned:
This is perhaps the biggest disappointment for the F1 fans. You almost can hear a collective sigh! The excitement of the pit stop will be limited to the tire changes.
The cars will now be modified to accommodate the fuel for the entire race. This as deemed dangerous, but in the recent past, the fires in the pit lane numbered more than the ones on the track. Although this solves some of the logistics problems of the teams and helps in maintaining a safer pit lane, this FIA decision will be harsh on the fans and followers.
Tyre warmers banned:
The tire warmers were supposed to be banned for the 2009 season, but due to concerns from Bridgestone, they were permitted. There are concerns about the tire temperatures coming up to the optimum levels without the tire warmers. The tires will now be pre-heated, as in some other single seater formats.
Qualifying rules:
The cars will now run on low fuel for the Saturday qualifiers. Q3 in season 2009 required the cars to run on race fuel, with the heavier cars posting higher times, but running longer before pitting. This decision gives the drivers to post a quicker time without worrying about the fuel load in the belly.
Number of teams:
FIA has now allowed thirteen teams on the grid, up from the earlier twelve. With the new bunch of teams coming in, it will surely make the sport more interesting. The Brawn GP's 2009 season is a reminder that a debutant team can go the distance.
Penalty changes:
The stewards can now relegate a driver any number of grid positions in the next race, if he is involved in a racing incident. Earlier, the drivers were dropped 10 positions.
KERS Regulations:
The KERS energy storage, either the battery or the flywheel now needs to be located between the driver and the engine. The 15 kg weight increase cuts short the ballast benefit that the heavier drivers enjoyed, and encourage them to rely on the KERS system more than they did in the 2009 season. The rear brake pressure may also be reduced via a valve while activating the KERS.
Suspending and resuming a race:
In case a race is suspended due to a race or poor racing conditions, red flags will be shown at the trackside. At this point, the pit lanes will be closed. The cars will then slowly proceed and stop in a staggered position behind the race leader. The team can work on the cars on track, and a ten minute warning will be given before the race is resumed. Any car pitting while the race is suspended, may be worked on there, but will be awarded a drive through penalty after the race is resumed. If the race cannot be resumed, the points will be awarded based on the standings in the penultimate lap.
Tyres:
The front tyres will now be smaller than the ones on the 2009 cars. This reduces the ballast dependence and performance of the cars. This will also induce reliance on the KERS. The tyres can now only be inflated with air or nitrogen, and the previously used CO2 is now banned. The drivers are also to start the race on the same set of tires used in Q3.
New Points System:
Now, instead of the top eight, the top 10 will be awarded championship points. The points format is also changed to;
1st: 25 points (previously 25)
2nd: 18 points (previously 20)
3rd: 15 points (previously 15)
4th: 12 points (previously 10)
5th: 10 points (previously 8)
6th: 8 points (previously 6)
7th: 6 points (previously 5)
8th: 4 points (previously 3)
9th: 2 points (previously 2)
10th: 1 point (previously 1)
Budget Cap:
The teams can now voluntarily opt for a £40m budget cap, enabling them to enjoy certain technical freedom, in comparison to the teams who will exceed this cap.
Reservations for Budget-capped teams
Testing:
These teams will not be limited to testing regulations. There is no cap on number of mileage or dates for testing. The non-capped teams will be restricted to 15,000 km between the 1st January to the first week of testing. There are also no wind tunnel testing restrictions in terms of scale and speed. The non-capped teams will only be permitted to use a 60% scale model at a 50 m/s rolling road speed.
Gearbox and engines:
There is no limit to the number of gearboxes and engines that capped teams may use. The non-capped teams will only be allowed to use a four-race gearbox and eight engines per season.
Front and rear wings:
The non capped teams will enjoy freedom of moving the front wing up to 10° any number of times during the race, while the non-capped teams are only allowed a 6° movement twice per lap. The capped teams are also allowed a moveable rear wings, an advantage over the non-capped teams, who are banned from doing so.
Four-Wheel Drive and KERS:
The capped teams can opt of either a 2WD or a 4WD format, while the non-capped teams are only restricted to a 2WD. The KERS can also be activated on all the four wheels instead of the rear wheels on the non-capped teams.
