Que cambia para la F1 del 2010

TECHNICAL DISCUSSION

While nowhere near as radical as last year’s reinvention of the technical rulebook, 2010’s regulations feature a number of key differences from the previous season. Outlined below are the major developments,  and their primary effects:

CHANGE	In-race refueling banned
EFFECT	Cars feature significantly larger fuel-tanks; efficient packaging becomes critical; in-race fuel stops will disappear; races will become more dependent on tyre strategy; pitstops will become significantly quicker (around 4 sec or less); cars will be significantly heavier and slower at the start of races, which could have consequences on tyre wear, drivetrain and brake life
CHANGE	Teams unanimously agree to no longer use KERS
EFFECT	Overtaking opportunities available to KERS-equipped cars will disappear; teams have far greater freedom on systems packaging and weight distribution
CHANGE	Narrower width introduced for (dry weather) front tyres
EFFECT	Smaller tyre will have knock-on effect for car aerodynamics and overall car balance
CHANGE	Aerodynamic hubcaps banned
EFFECT	A FOTA cost-saving initiative. Teams will look to recover their aero properties elsewhere
CHANGE	Wheel rim-heaters banned
EFFECT	While tyre blankets are still permitted, the removal of the inner heated core that heats the rim will make tyre warm-up more critical
CHANGE	Minimum weight increased from 605kg to 620kg
EFFECT	Cars will be heavier on track; ballast positioning will become more efficient
CHANGE	On-track aero testing reduced from eight to four days
EFFECT	Requires teams to capitalise on increasingly limited track testing away from the races; windtunnel testing is provided as a substitute
CHANGE	Backmarkers no longer able to unlap themselves behind the Safety Car
EFFECT	Safety Car periods should be shorter and the restart quicker
CHANGE	Points system runs from 1st to 10th (POINTS ORDER TBC)
EFFECT	Greater rewards are now offered to the winning driver, placing more importance on pushing for victory rather than accepting a minor placing; a greater spread of points ought to reward the larger field expected in 2010
CHANGE	Using a second additional engine during a race weekend carries a 10-place grid penalty for the following event
EFFECT	Engine life and effective usage will be even more critical, particularly towards the end of the season