Nothing stays still in Formula One and this year we have a raft of rule changes, some significant – some less so, for the teams and driver to adapt to.
Refuelling Ban
For the first time since 1993, refuelling will be banned during Formula One races, although drivers will still be required to come into the pits to make a compulsory tyre change.
The cars will require a larger fuel tank of around 250 litres (70-95 litres was a typical fuel fill in 2009) which will lead to a wider and longer chassis design to accommodate it. Coupled with a change to a smaller front tyre (reduced to 245mm width from 270mm), the cars will therefore run a different weight distribution.
Pit stops will be much quicker with teams estimating between 3-4 seconds and the drivers and engineers will have to carefully manage their tyres and brakes on heavy fuel loads.
New Teams
Formula One last had 26 cars taking part in a race in 1995 but with 13 teams entered for the 2010 season, the grid will be larger than usual. All teams will comply with a restriction on the number of trackside team personnel as part of the new Resource Restriction Agreement. For Saturday’s qualifying session, eight drivers will be knocked out of both Q1 and Q2, leaving 10 drivers to fight for pole position in Q3.
Points System*
To take into account the increased numbers of cars, the points system has been amended. The previous system (10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1) will change dramatically in 2010 with the race winner being awarded 25 points and the top ten drivers awarded points (25, 20, 15, 10, 8, 6, 5, 3, 2, 1).
Weight
The minimum weight of the car in 2010 will be 620kg compared to 605kg in 2009. This was introduced to offset the disadvantage faced by taller, heavier drivers in KERS-equipped cars however by mutual agreement; KERS will not be used in 2010.
Testing
Only four pre-season winter tests are permitted with the ban on in-season testing remaining in place. The winter tests will take place as follows: Valencia, 1 - 3 February, Jerez, 10 - 13 February, Jerez, 17 - 20 February, Barcelona, 25 - 28 February
One day of testing will be permitted by the FIA if a new driver is required to drive for a team during the season. To qualify, the driver should not have participated in an F1 race in the previous two years and the test will take place on an FIA-approved track not used for a Grand Prix.
* The new points system may well change again ahead of the new season to ensure a greater advantage for winning a Grand Prix.