| Below is a summary of changes to the Sporting | | | | deployment of the safety car before the first |
| and Technical Regulations made by the FIA for | | | | round of pit stops however, would give a team |
| the 2007 Formula 1 Racing season. | | | | using the harder compound a considerable |
| Engines | | | | advantage. |
| Engine specifications used in the last two races of | | | | Practice Sessions |
| the 2006 Formula 1 racing season must be used | | | | The two Friday practice sessions will now be 90 |
| for the next four seasons. This means effectively | | | | minutes and not 60 minutes. Third cars are no |
| that an engine freeze is in place for the next four | | | | longer allowed, but teams can use one alternate |
| years. Some limited development is allowed but | | | | test driver for each session on Friday's. The third |
| only under stringent control from the FIA. Some | | | | driver must use one of the team's race cars, but |
| loop holes there I would say. I certainly | | | | an alternate engine can be used. This means that |
| understand the need to reduce costs, but this rule | | | | a team can use one race driver and one test |
| can make Formula 1 racing very predictable. The | | | | driver in each session, or use only the two race |
| team with the strongest or fastest engine will | | | | drivers with alternate engines. A maximum of |
| have an advantage for the next four seasons, or | | | | only four drivers for the season is still in force. |
| would the FIA be more indulgent of development | | | | Safety Car |
| if you are not one of the front runners. | | | | The pit lane will be closed when the safety car is |
| During Friday practice sessions the teams are | | | | deployed until all the cars are bunched up behind |
| allowed to use alternative engines. For Saturday | | | | the safety car. Lapped cars running between cars |
| practice and qualifying the two race engine rule still | | | | on the lead lap must pass the lead cars and take |
| applies. This goes against the FIA objective to | | | | up position at the back of the field, effectively |
| save costs, as all the teams will use different | | | | unlapping themselves. At first when I read this |
| engines for Friday practice. It should increase the | | | | rule I got the impression that cars would not be |
| action on track for Fridays nevertheless giving | | | | able to pit at all during safety car periods. After |
| Formula 1 racing fans a better exhibition. On the | | | | reading the detailed rules it became clearer that |
| other hand, the team cannot risk having an | | | | the pit lane would only be closed until all cars are |
| accident and destroying the race chassis, as this | | | | behind the safety car. With modern racing pushing |
| would spell disaster for the team for the | | | | all barriers it would be interesting to see what |
| remainder of the weekend. | | | | would happen if a team is scheduled for a pit stop |
| Tyres | | | | and an accident brings out the safety car. Most |
| The teams will receive two different compounds | | | | teams would not have sufficient fuel to sit behind |
| of tire from Bridgestone for the weekend. The | | | | the safety car for a few additional laps, and a pit |
| number of tires allocated will increase with eight | | | | stop during this time would incur a 10 second |
| sets for each Formula 1 racing team for Friday | | | | penalty. |
| and ten sets for the rest of the weekend. One of | | | | Other Changes |
| these ten sets must be returned to the supplier | | | | There are many other minor changes in the |
| before qualifying. The eight remaining sets of four | | | | regulations for the 2007 Formula1 racing season |
| sets of each compound can be used for qualifying | | | | and a large amount of these changes were |
| and the race. Both compounds must be used by | | | | incorporated to improve safety. As an example, |
| each driver for the race. A good strategy will be | | | | cars will be fitted with a display of coloured lights |
| important here. Races could be won or lost if the | | | | representing the different colour flags used. |
| wrong compound is used at a incorrect time in | | | | Stewards would now be able to alert drivers of |
| the race. I would expect most teams to start | | | | dangers and hazards more effectively. |
| with the softer of the two compounds to ensure | | | | A medical light will be fitted to all Formula 1 racing |
| good track position and try to keep away from | | | | cars to give rescue crews an immediate indication |
| the masses at the start. Accidents requiring | | | | of the severity of an accident. |