Here is the final of our series of daily Formula 1 features leading to the Grand Prix of Australia with the list of changes to the technical and sporting regulations.
Additional powers for the stewards
Previously, the stewards’ powers to impose penalties after an incident were limited to three options: a drive-through penalty, a ten-second time penalty or a drop of grid position at the next event. These powers have been boosted for the 2011 season to include four more sanctions.
• The new penalties are: a time penalty, to be decided at the stewards’ discretion; a reprimand; exclusion from the results; or suspension from the next event.
Stricter driving standards
Formal driving standards have now been written into the rules rather than forming the object of a gentleman’s agreement, and standards of behaviour when being lapped have also been tightened up.
• The rules explicitly forbid: more than one change of direction, crowding another car off the circuit and abnormal changes of direction
Enhanced pit lane safety
Following an incident in Monza last year when a mechanic was injured in the pit lane, there was no mechanism for closing the pit lane to other cars. This has now been introduced, along with other measures to improve safety.
• The pit lane can now be closed for safety reasons during the race. In this situation, cars may only enter the pits for ‘essential and entirely evident’ repairs
• Cars queued at the pit lane exit must now form up in a single line and leave in the order they arrived, unless another car is unduly delayed
Tires
Pirelli will be the sole tire supplier for the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons. Drivers will be allocated a total of 11 sets of tires for the race weekend. At selected events, drivers may be given either an additional set of ‘prime’ tires for use on Friday only, or be asked to test experimental compounds to assist the tire development process. Tire usage is governed as follows:
Additional powers for the stewards
Previously, the stewards’ powers to impose penalties after an incident were limited to three options: a drive-through penalty, a ten-second time penalty or a drop of grid position at the next event. These powers have been boosted for the 2011 season to include four more sanctions.
• The new penalties are: a time penalty, to be decided at the stewards’ discretion; a reprimand; exclusion from the results; or suspension from the next event.
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Stricter driving standards
Formal driving standards have now been written into the rules rather than forming the object of a gentleman’s agreement, and standards of behaviour when being lapped have also been tightened up.
• The rules explicitly forbid: more than one change of direction, crowding another car off the circuit and abnormal changes of direction
Enhanced pit lane safety
Following an incident in Monza last year when a mechanic was injured in the pit lane, there was no mechanism for closing the pit lane to other cars. This has now been introduced, along with other measures to improve safety.
• The pit lane can now be closed for safety reasons during the race. In this situation, cars may only enter the pits for ‘essential and entirely evident’ repairs
• Cars queued at the pit lane exit must now form up in a single line and leave in the order they arrived, unless another car is unduly delayed
Tires
Pirelli will be the sole tire supplier for the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons. Drivers will be allocated a total of 11 sets of tires for the race weekend. At selected events, drivers may be given either an additional set of ‘prime’ tires for use on Friday only, or be asked to test experimental compounds to assist the tire development process. Tire usage is governed as follows:
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