In recent years, Formula 1 had turned boring. Each F1 race became a tedious process with almost no overtaking and pit strategies were more important than the actual driving on the racetrack.
This year, however, things have changed dramatically. We are finally watching true racing: wheel-to-wheel battles, rapid changes in the classification, unexpected results and, most of all, overtaking – and plenty of it. And this despite the fact that Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing are even more dominant than Schumi and the Scuderia at their best.
So what has changed? The answer is simple: the rules. Keep on reading why F1 races no longer lull you to sleep in your couch, but keep you awake until the flag drops.
Adjustable rear wings
Drivers can adjust the rear wing from the cockpit altering its angle through a set range. The system can be used at any time in practice and qualifying races unless a driver is on wet-weather tires, but in the race it can be used only on certain parts of the track and only when a driver is less than one second behind another, aiding him in overtaking.
Banned F-ducts and double diffusers
The system that let a driver change the aerodynamics of the car with his movement and raised a lot of objections last year, the F-duct, is now prohibited. Changing the rules on stepped floors also means that last year’s double diffusers are banned.
Return of the KERS
The Kinetic Energy Recovery System has returned in 2011 after a short absence in 2010. KERS takes the energy generated under braking that would otherwise be wasted, and transforms it into additional power.
This is then made available to the driver in fixed quantities per lap via a steering wheel button. The systems are the same as those in 2009, with no increase in the maximum permitted power. The only change this year is that now that refueling is banned. Fuel tanks are by necessity larger and, therefore, placing the battery packs and other ancillaries requires tighter packaging.
Different Tire Supplier and Rules
After Bridgestone’s withdrawal at the end of 2010, Pirelli is F1’s sole tire supplier. The Italian company, which returned in F1 after 20 years, will provide all teams for the next three years.
Tire allocation has been reduced, with 11 rather than 14 dry-weather sets available to each driver. Drivers will receive three sets (two prime, one option) to use in P1 and P2 and must return one set after each session. A further eight sets will then be at their disposal for the rest of the weekend, although one set of each specification must be handed back before qualifying.
If a driver fails to use both specifications of dry-weather tires during a dry race, he is excluded from the results. If a dry race is stopped and a driver has failed to use both specifications, 30 seconds will be added to his time.
Longer-lasting gearboxes
Each gearbox now needs to last for five race weekends instead of four in 2010.
107% qualifying time
Any driver who fails to set a qualifying lap within 107% of the fastest Q1 time will not be allowed to start the race. The stewards reserve, under certain circumstances, the right to permit a driver to start the race only if he has set a suitable time in practice.
Penalties
Stewards now can impose a wider range of penalties to drivers, such as time penalties, exclusion from race results or suspension from subsequent events for driving and other rule transgressions.
Team orders
The rule which banned team orders has been removed.
Story source: F1.com
PHOTO GALLERY
