From GMM
FIA's technical boss and Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting told the press that several new rules for 2009 have been clarified. Tyres The difference between the performance of the two tyre compounds on offer at grands prix this year will be bigger than in 2008. The sport's rules dictate that drivers must use both types of dry-weather compounds during races, but in 2008 the difference between the Bridgestone products was often not large. Charlie Whiting confirmed that F1's official tyre supplier has been asked to exaggerate the difference between the offered compounds in 2009. He said his preference for the compound gap at races is "at least half a second". KERS Warning lights, insulated gloves and colour-coding will help keep F1 marshals safe from the dangers of new KERS technology. "It's several hundred volts and the potential to be tens of amps, pretty lethal," said Renault technical director Bob Bell recently. "And it's DC, so if you hold it you cannot let go." Whiting said a document prepared by the Working Group will shortly be circulated to all race hosts, in order to educate the marshals and other workers who will be exposed to KERS systems in 2009. "There will be things like the KERS status warning light that will be on all cars," he said. "If there's a risk, it should be clear to a marshal who walks up to the car. He should approach the vehicle, look at the KERS status light and, if it is in the wrong state, he shouldn't touch the car," said Whiting. Engines Friday practice will no longer be exempt from F1's long-life engine rules. The engine rules for 2009 have been tweaked, with the mandatory consecutive use of power plants dropped. Instead, drivers will be limited to eight engines for the entire season and can use them "as they like". In 2008 and previously, the two-race per engine rule did not apply to Fridays. "Now, for 17 races, the eight engines will have to do the three days of each grand prix," Whiting said. He confirmed that penalties for engine changes will only occur in 2009 if a driver uses a "ninth engine". Safety Car F1's controversial safety car rules have been scrapped ahead of the 2009 season. From 2009, the pit lane will stay open upon deployment of the safety car, rather than unfairly penalise drivers who are forced to pit. To accompany the revised system, drivers will need to adhere to a minimum lap time as they drive slowly after deployment of the safety car, as was tried several times in free practice last year. Photos: WRI2
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