FIA Formula 1 rule changes for 2006

[skimonkey30]

The meeting in London has concluded and we have some new rules for the 2006 F1 season

1) Tire changes are back the single tire rule has been sacked

2) Qualifying will be in the format of a "knockout" with 3 sessions, 2 15 minute sessions and one 20 minute session. In the the first 15min session the slowest 5 cars will be knocked out, then in the second 15min session another 5 of the slowest cars will be knocked out, and in the final 20 minute session the rest of the field will battle for the top spots on the grid. The final ten cars in the qualifying session will have to carry race fuel.

3) Third drivers will still be allowed in Friday practice sessions

4) Teams will still be allowed to have a spare car in the garage


Passed For 2007 as a "provisional introduction" but need to be approved by the team technical directors:

1) A return to slick tires
2) One tire manufacturer
3) A new rear wing to increase overtaking

Full article here:
http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/head...24171903.shtml

Article on the new wing:
http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/head...24105939.shtml

[AtomicLabMonkey]

Wow, that wing design is pretty crazy..



That's going to really limit rear downforce.. they're losing wingspan and the only remaining wing area is right in turbulent air behind a tire.

[tysonK]

Dang, does that fit a 03 WRX?

[Nick Koan]

That new wing looks like a horrible idea.

Increase overtaking, though? Is it to allow drivers to follow more closely?

[sperry]

First, the scrapping of the single tire rule reaks of Ferrari whining to FIA. So much for all that great work Michelen did to get a leg up on Bridgestone. However, I prefer tire changes, not only for safety purposes, but just because it seems retarded to force running on one set of tires... this isn't Star Mazda, it's F1!

Second, while the new qualifying rules seem very convoluted, I think the FIA actually came up with something that will really help the fans. The problem with the single lap qualifying is that it's boring as hell to fans in the stands. In fact I think the only people that enjoy the single lap format is the US TV audience that's used to the format from NASCAR (which I am certainly a member of... I like the single hot-lap format!) Anyway, this new format brings the cars out together, which is much more exciting for those in the stands (and TV for that matter, unless you're like me and enjoy seeing each driver's lap in detail). Plus, the knock-out rules prevent each team from just waiting till the very end of the session to run a lap the way they used to before the single lap format. And by requiring the top 10 cars to qualify on race fuel, it leaves the stratigic element of whether or not to go for pole w/ a light car which may hurt you in the race later... something that I liked, but I think the average F1 fan did not.

What I wonder, is if the new format will end up with teams making race-style pit stops for fuel and tires during qualifying... you know, top off and grab fresh rubber at the last second to make sure you're all set for the race if you're in the top 10 near the end of the final qualifying session. That might be kinda cool... turns qualifying into a pre-race of sorts.

With regards to the 2008 proposals... the single tire idea will probably be good for competition, but I rather like the tire rivalry... I'd rather see 1 or 2 additional manufacturers instead... where's Goodyear and Hoosier when you need 'em?!

That new wing looks nuts. Seems like the cars will end up having to run quite a bit of angle on 'em to get the necessary rear downforce to match the d/f generated by the front wing... I'm thinking there's going to be quite a large loss of efficiency over the current wing design... it might slow the cars down a bit, which isn't a big deal if they go back to slick tires I guess.

What I really like about the new wing is that it's designed to promote smooth airflow right behind the car. In fact, the idea is that a car in the slipstream should actually have *more* downforce than a car in the clear! We may end up with cars that can easily pass at the end of every long straight! Now, while that may sound good, the problem you run into is with blocking... anyone else remember the BS surrounding the IRL cars, where you're allowed to make one blocking move, then it's "illegal" to move back the other way? Pretty lame, but necessary because the draft made getting a run on someone way too easy. So, if this new F1 wing works too well, I think it's actually going to hurt the sport. IMO, passing is a result of setting someone up, finding their weakness, making them nervous, and exploiting/capitalizing on their mistakes... not just getting an aero pull and sling-shotting off each straight.

[AtomicLabMonkey]

Originally Posted by sperry

I'm thinking there's going to be quite a large loss of efficiency over the current wing design...

There should be; that's a huge loss in aspect ratio on the wings. Even if they maintained the same total span there would be an overall downforce loss because of the smaller aspect ratios.

[skimonkey30]

Calendar for 2006

March 12 Bahrain
March 19 Malaysia
April 2 Australia
April 23 San Marino
May 7 European GP
May 14 Spain
May 28 Monaco
June 11 Great Britain
June 25 Canada
July 2 United States
July 16 France
July 30 Germany
August 6 Hungary
August 27 Turkey
September 10 Italy
September 17 Belgium
October 1 Japan
October 8 China
October 22 Brazil (Subject to contract approval)

Anybody want to make a trip to one of the north american races??

[Nick Koan]

Canada, June 25th, I'd love to be there.

[MattR]

I am planning to go to Canada in June. We should work on a trip.

[sperry]

I'm down, let's get it planned!!

[Nick Koan]

Another team has been announced.

Super Aguri Formula One, run by Japanese racing boss Aguri Suzuki. Most likely running Honda chasis with Bridgestone tires, but nothing is finalized yet. It sounds like he's very anxious to *not* call this team the Honda B-team. It also sounds like a very nationalistic Japanese team, as Takuma Sato is also likely to sign. Says Suzuki, "Our goal is to have the 'rising sun' raised above the podium."

http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view...d=121536&apn=2

[skimonkey30]

I was waiting for this mystery team to file, they had been talking about it through the last two weeks of the season

[skimonkey30]

In other news Christian Albers has signed with Midland F1

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/head...01110640.shtml

[MattR]

I like that Christian Albers, he's a good dude.

[Nick Koan]

Nice new wiggly bits.

[skimonkey30]

toyota with the first 2006 car to be released looks good

Red Bull has confirmed they have signed Robert Doornbos for their 3rd driver/testing role

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/head...29105014.shtml

So that bumps american scott speed down to the Scuderia Torro Rosso squad

[MattR]

That Toyota looks great...The rear diffuser sure does trail the car by a long way...I bet Juan Pablo Knocks that thing off on the first corner in the season opener.

[AtomicLabMonkey]

Originally Posted by MattR

The rear diffuser sure does trail the car by a long way...

I'm not sure what those two curved boards are doing exactly, but they're not a diffuser.

[MattR]

What would you call it? Rudder? A diffuser sits horizontally I suppose, but I don't know what they are after with those big vertical slats.

I imagine they are going for the same affect that airliner manufacturers (Like Boeing on this 737) are going for by using vertical winglets to reduce drag by improving the air vortex? resulting behind the plane...just a thought.

[tysonK]

I have a feeling this thread is about to become a tech thread about vortex diffusion or something.

Hopefully some of that toyota trickles down to the Corolla I've been eyeing.

[sperry]

I'm guessing they're just flutes that help to speed up the airflow under the car... get it away from the downdraft off the rear wing... reduce lift.

Or maybe they plan on running out in front of Sato a lot next season and they want a rear bumper.

[skimonkey30]

Originally Posted by sperry

Or maybe they plan on running out in front of Sato a lot next season and they want a rear bumper.

I'm going to go with this answer

[AtomicLabMonkey]

Originally Posted by MattR

What would you call it? Rudder? A diffuser sits horizontally I suppose, but I don't know what they are after with those big vertical slats.

I imagine they are going for the same affect that airliner manufacturers (Like Boeing on this 737) are going for by using vertical winglets to reduce drag by improving the air vortex? resulting behind the plane...just a thought.

Diffusers are air pressure & velocity modification devices, and they have to have a specific shape to work correctly, like this.



It's like a turbine inlet or exhaust nozzle,



so when used on a car the bodywork is the top side of the diffuser and the ground is the other.

[MattR]

I found this thread on NASIOC that has some great pics of the 06 cars, as well as a running list of driver confirmations....F1 2006

[Nick Koan]

Uh oh, you found where I stole my Toyota pics from

That interm Williams machine looks pretty good. Wonder if it'll go fast.