Formula 1 - Latest Rules

New tyre rules
The new tyre rules reduce the number of sets of tyres that a driver has for each race weekend from 10 to 8. It has also been agreed that the 1999 tyres will have an extra groove next year to reduce grip further. The width of the front tyres must not exceed 270mm. The FIA agreed also that each future year it will determine the specification of tyres for the following season by September 1.

Restriction on the number of cars allowed to take part in the World Championship
This restrication is in line with the new Concorde Agreement which allows for 12 teams (24 cars). Anyone wishing to enter the sport will, therefore, have to buy an existing operation.

Clarification of the situation relating to the imposition of time penalties
The problems over time penalties at Silverstone have resulted in new rules which fix stop-go penalties at 10 seconds. If the penalty is imposed in the last five laps of a race, 25 seconds will be added to the race time of the driver concerned. As soon as an incident is under investigation by the stewards a message to that effect will appear on the timing monitors.

New fuel regulations
The new fuel regulation has already been agreed by the fuel companies to Formula 1. It will result in much cleaner fuel with reductions in both sulphur and benzene levels. The new fuel is beleived to be in line with a planned new EU fuel standard.

New safety measures
The other new safety measures (including the fourth groove and the restriction of cars to 24), are the following:-
An increase in the height of the main roll hoop above the driver's head from 50mm to 70mm,
Oil breathers venting into the air intake rather than spraying oil on the track,
A pressure relief valve in the cooling system of each car (it also stops engine manufacturers pressurising cooling systems to get more horsepower, apart from being a safety feature)
Seats must be removable with the driver in them,
An increase in the velocity of the nose impact test,
Fitting of steel cables to Formula 1 wheels to reduce the chance of them flying off during accidents.

Car liveries
The teams must run both cars in liveries which are "substantially" the same.

Traction Control
As from the 2001 season, traction control is again allowed.