Formula One and Teams Reach Rules Compromise




Editor's Note: Hey all...well, thankfully the teams were as upset and against the changes as I and many others were. During the TWG (Technical Working Group - the reality check for policy decisions in the FIA) meeting yesterday, they managed to compromise on a number of things. See below for the portion of the press release regarding the agreed upon changes for the next couple of seasons....




- pit to car telemetry - eliminated with immediate effect;


- car to pit telemetry - eliminated from 2004 and a standard data logger introduced at the same time (immediate implementation would not save money because the limiting factor is the data acquisition system. This cannot be eliminated from a car in the short term);


- radio communication between team and driver to be allowed provided
1. the system is stand-alone and cannot transmit other data and 2. the
communications are open and accessible to the FIA and broadcasters. The possibility of a standard system accessible to the public at a Grand Prix is being explored (ed note: I bet the teams will attempt to encrypt, but supply the encryption schemes to FIA and television...)



- a third car will only be used if a race car is damaged beyond repair. If a race car fails just before the start, any spare car will start from the pit lane, as will a spare car used following a race stoppage in the first two laps;



- cars will be held under parc ferme conditions between qualifying and the race, but can be kept in a team garage under supervision. Any work other than a very restricted list will require special authorisation;



- traction control and automatic gearboxes will no longer be allowed from half way through the season - ie from the 2003 British Grand Prix;



- launch control will end at the same time provided the teams can all operate their current clutches manually;



- following today's meeting the FIA is satisfied that the absence of traction control, launch control and fully automatic gearboxes can be proved using a combination of new technology and extra (FIA) sensors. Software inspection remains available to the FIA as a back-up if needed. It will therefore not be necessary to introduce a standard ECU in 2004. (ed note: HOORAY!!! THANK GOODNESS)



-Other items remain as in the press release of 15 January 2003.