2008 FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP REGULATION CHANGES
REGULATION CHANGES
Gearbox
- Gearboxes must now last for four consecutive Grand Prix weekends
- Every unscheduled gearbox change will require the relevant driver to drop five places on the grid at that meeting
- If a driver fails to finish a race, he may start the next meeting with a new gearbox without incurring a penalty.
Electronic Control Units (ECUs)
- From 2008, all teams must use a standard ECU (SECU), as specified by the FIA and manufactured by McLaren Electronic Systems together with its partner, Microsoft Corporation, to control their cars' electronics
- Many electronic 'driver aids' have been outlawed, including: Traction control, Launch control (e.g. at start of race) and engine braking
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Qualifying
- The duration of qualifying session one(Q1) has been increased from 15 to 20 minutes
- The duration of qualifying session three (Q3) has been cut from 15 to 10 minutes
- Qualifying session two (Q2) remains 15 minutes long
- Furthermore, cars participating in Q3 will no longer get back the fuel used in that session - they must now start the race with whatever fuel was left in the car at the end of qualifying. This has eliminated the need for the 'fuel burning' phase
Spare Cars
- The use of a Spare Car has been restricted. In 2008, each competing team may have no more than two cars available for use at any one time.
- In this context a 'car' will be deemed as such if it's a partially assembled survival cell, if it's fitted with an engine, any front suspension, bodywork, radiators, oil tanks or heat exchangers
Chassis/Cockpit Side Protection
- The height (and other dimensions) of the cockpit sides have been revised to ensure greater driver safety
OTHER NOTEWORTHY REGULATIONS
Testing
- No competitor may carry out more than 30,000km of testing during a calendar year.
Engines
- Limitations:
- Changing an engine:
-Engines are 'homologated' for the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons. -Engine capacity is limited to a maximum of 2,400cc. -Engine revs are limited to 19,000rpm. -Engines must last two consecutive GP Events
-If an engine is changed before Qualifying (i.e. before 14.00 on Saturday), a ten place grid penalty is applied.
-If an engine is changed after Qualifying (i.e. after 14.00 on Saturday), the driver must start the race from the back of the grid.
Tyres
- During a GP Event, no driver may use more than:
- No driver may use more than two sets of each specification of dry-weather tyre during Friday Practice.
- 14 sets of dry-weather tyres
- Four sets of wet-weather tyres
- Three sets of extreme-weather tyres
Minimum weight
- The weight of the car must not be less than 605kg at all times during the Event.
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