2008 rule changes

An outline of sporting and technical rule changes made for the 2008 F1 season.

The 2008 Formula One season sees important changes to both the sporting and technical rules, with a ban on traction control being perhaps the most important. Standard ECU With the technology having been pioneered in the early 1990s, the FIA has long sought to ban the likes of traction control, launch control and engine braking in an attempt to both cut costs and let spectators know that the superstars on display are really earning their money. Traction control was banned after the 1993 season but re-introduced in 2001 after long-held suspicions that teams were developing complex control systems that, while adhering to the letter of the law, were rather too far outside of its spirit. Thus, in the hope that the loopholes can be closed (though it can almost be guaranteed that rumours will start to circulate eventually) the FIA has introduced a standard Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to control the car's various functions - driver aids no longer being on that list. Although a lot of fans doubtless hope that the ban will lead to more displays of stunning car control, the general consensus seems to be that the impact will be minimal. As tyres get worn it could be the case that we'll see cars getting more sideways; a wet race could well be a different matter, however. Gearboxes In another attempt at cost-cutting, the FIA has stipulated that gearboxes must now last four race weekends. A five-place grid penalty awaits those who fail to last the distance although, as with engines (which must last two races) a new one can then be used. However, as part of the process of setting a car up to suit different tracks, teams are allowed to alter gear ratios from race to race. The dimensions and weight of a gearbox have also been specified in an effort to try and prevent teams investing huge sums in smaller, lighter components. But, unlike engines, there is no development freeze and teams can redesign their gearboxes. The change in lifespan might also have an effect on how a car's gearbox is managed: seamless shift gearboxes have been developed in recent seasons which, although saving a car vital time over the course of a race, are still less reliable than a non-seamless selection. Teams might therefore switch between the two over the course of four races, in an effort to best combine performance with reliability. Engines As mentioned, it has hitherto been the case that a 10-place grid penalty has awaited any driver whose car needs an engine change (Friday practice sessions being the exception). However, every driver can now make his first change of the year without penalty. What's more, it does not need to be because of a technical problem, so an engine that comes through an especially arduous race such as the Italian GP at Monza unscathed can still be changed. Nevertheless, this 'get out of jail free' card must be played before the season-closing Brazilian Grand Prix. Spare Cars With teams tending in the past to carry a spare car (complete with mechanics and equipment) to all the races they have, in the interests of cost reduction, been banned for the 2008 season. An extra chassis can still be brought to races, but it cannot be fitted with an engine, bodywork, radiators and heat exchangers, along with any front suspension or oil tanks external to the survival cell. Protection Cars have higher cockpit sides this season in order to afford drivers greater protection. Qualifying The principle change here sees an end to the 'fuel burning' laps recently seen in the final qualifying session. They were introduced to maximise the time the top 10 cars were seen out on the track, but, given both the fact they were merely circulating and were also given 'fuel credits' which complicated the strategic equation more than was really necessary, a simpler procedure has been introduced. Session one - lasts for 20 minutes, after which the slowest six cars will be eliminated (to form slots 17-22 on the grid). Session two - lasts for 15 minutes, after which the slowest six cars will be eliminated (to form slots 11-16 on the grid). Session three - lasts for 10 minutes and determines the top 10 slots on the grid. As before, cars will be on low fuel for the first two sessions. However, the top 10 cars no longer receive credits ahead of the race in exchange for the number of laps completed in the final session. In other words, they are not allowed to be refuelled between the start of final qualifying and the start of the race. Safety car All drivers now have to start on extreme wet tyres if race control has deemed the track wet enough for a safety car start. Also, if conditions are sufficiently poor, race control may decide that lapped drivers cannot pass the field and regain their lap, as would normally be the case under an SC re-start. This follows last season's rain-drenched Japanese GP, when drivers in the queue could not see cars which were weaving through the pack at much greater speed. Testing Testing is again limited to 30,000 km during the calendar year. However, this year sees the introduction of extra sessions for the training of young drivers.