Curfew for team personnel
From 2011, no team personnel connected with the operation of the cars may enter the circuit during the six-hour periods beginning ten hours before P1 and P3. Teams are permitted four individual exceptions to this rule.
• For a standard timetable, the curfew is from midnight to 06:00 on Friday and 01:00 to 07:00 on Saturday
• In Melbourne, it will run from 02:30 to 08:30 on Friday and 04:00 to 10:00 on Saturday
Team Orders
The article banning team orders (Article 39.1) has been removed from the Sporting Regulations from this season onwards. However, all of the teams will be aware that any actions liable to bring the sport into disrepute are dealt with under Article 151c of the International Sporting Code, which could carry a heavier penalty.
Gearbox life
Gearboxes must now last for five consecutive races instead of four. A replacement gearbox may be used without penalty if a driver retired from the previous event for reasons beyond his or the team’s control. For 2011 only, drivers will not be penalised for their first unscheduled gearbox change during the season. After this, a five-place grid penalty will be imposed for each replacement gearbox used outside of the normal cycle.
• Average gearbox life will be extended from 2100 km in 2010 to 2625 km in 2011
The return of the 107% rule
For the first time since 2002, the 107% rule returns to the sport. The rule is valid during Q1, and states that any driver whose best lap exceeds 107% of the fastest lap in Q1 will not be allowed to take part in the race. Exemptions are possible in ‘exceptional circumstances’.
• The 107% time in 2010 in Melbourne would have been 1:30.708
From 2011, no team personnel connected with the operation of the cars may enter the circuit during the six-hour periods beginning ten hours before P1 and P3. Teams are permitted four individual exceptions to this rule.
• For a standard timetable, the curfew is from midnight to 06:00 on Friday and 01:00 to 07:00 on Saturday
• In Melbourne, it will run from 02:30 to 08:30 on Friday and 04:00 to 10:00 on Saturday
Team Orders
The article banning team orders (Article 39.1) has been removed from the Sporting Regulations from this season onwards. However, all of the teams will be aware that any actions liable to bring the sport into disrepute are dealt with under Article 151c of the International Sporting Code, which could carry a heavier penalty.
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Gearbox life
Gearboxes must now last for five consecutive races instead of four. A replacement gearbox may be used without penalty if a driver retired from the previous event for reasons beyond his or the team’s control. For 2011 only, drivers will not be penalised for their first unscheduled gearbox change during the season. After this, a five-place grid penalty will be imposed for each replacement gearbox used outside of the normal cycle.
• Average gearbox life will be extended from 2100 km in 2010 to 2625 km in 2011
The return of the 107% rule
For the first time since 2002, the 107% rule returns to the sport. The rule is valid during Q1, and states that any driver whose best lap exceeds 107% of the fastest lap in Q1 will not be allowed to take part in the race. Exemptions are possible in ‘exceptional circumstances’.
• The 107% time in 2010 in Melbourne would have been 1:30.708