F1 Season 2009 – Rule Changes
The 2009 Formula One season started in Melbourne Sunday afternoon. In a first for the Australian grand prix the race started just after 5pm local time. This was done to allow the European fans a chance to watch the race later in the morning.
The 2009 F1 season sees quite a few rule changes come into play.
The main aims of the rule changes are increased reliability and further cost reductions for the teams. In the case of the technical changes, there are three main objectives – reducing the role of aerodynamics in the cars’ performance; making overtaking easier; and keeping lap times in check.
Below is a summary of the F1 rule changes.
Tyres
Return to slicks after 10 years of grooved.
Drivers will still have the choice of two dry tyre compounds and will still have to use both compounds during a race. Bridgestone will select the two compounds for each race from their four-compound range – super-soft, soft, medium and hard. However, unlike in 2008, they will not select two consecutive compounds, so the difference between ‘harder’ and ‘softer’ at any given race will be far greater. A green band on the sidewall will distinguish the softer compound.
Standard wet-weather tyres will now officially be known as ‘intermediates’, and extreme wet-weather tyres will be referred to simply as ‘wets’. The latter will feature a green central groove.
Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS)
From 2009 teams have the option of employing a KERS to boost their car’s performance. KERS recovers the (normally wasted) kinetic energy generated by the car’s braking process. This energy is stored using a mechanical flywheel or an electrical battery and then made available to the driver, in set amounts per lap, via a ‘boost button’ on the steering wheel.
Engines
Rev limits will be cut from 19,000 to 18,000 rpm.
Aerodynamics
This with the tyre change is the biggest area of change for 2009. Downforce to be dramatically reduced and the cars’ bodywork will appear much cleaner, thanks to new dimensional regulations that effectively outlaw extraneous items such as barge boards, winglets, turning vanes and chimneys on most areas of the car.
The front wing becomes lower (75mm from 150mm) and wider (up from 1400 to 1800mm – the same width as the car) with driver-adjustable flaps. Drivers will be allowed to make two wing adjustments per lap, altering the wing angle over a six-degree range.
The rear wing becomes taller (up 150mm to bring it level with the top of the engine cover) and narrower (750mm from 1000mm).
Also at the back of the car, the diffuser has been moved rearwards, its leading edge now level with (rather than ahead of) the rear-wheel axle line. In addition, the diffuser has been made longer and higher, all changes that will reduce its ability to generate downforce.
Testing
From 2009 onwards testing is not allowed during the race season (from the week prior to the first Grand Prix until December 31) and is limited to 15,000 kilometres.
Safety car
The pit lane will now remain open throughout any safety-car period, allowing drivers to refuel without penalty. Software using GPS will be used to control the speed of return into the pits. The rule will stagger the pit arrivals.
Pre-race weights
After qualifying, the FIA will publish the weight at which all cars are expected to start the race, giving spectators an accurate gauge of what fuel load each driver is carrying.
The full text of the F1 rule changes is available at F1.com
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