January 15, 2003

The FIA has radically changed: the Formula One regulations. [more inside]

posted by machaus to other at 03:35 PM - 3 comments

Due to constraints applied by the Concorde Agreement, it appears that these new rules will follow the following implementation schedule unless the teams unanimously approve the measures. 2003: Existing rules will be enforced with zero tolerance. 2004: Sporting rules can be changed. 2005: Technical rules can be changed (but not engine and drive train) 2006: All proposed changes will be in place. This certainly appears to be a good thing for the sport. It lowers the price barrier to entering F1, may provide more parity and in the end should result in better racing.

posted by machaus at 03:35 PM on January 15, 2003

Personally I think this A Very Good Thing. Of course, with Prost and Arrows both going under this past year (apparently Arrows is being liquidated as we speak), it seems too little too late, but I think for the long term this may help a lot. I really do wish though that some consideration is brought again to telling engine manufacturers that they must be able to make customer engines widely available (say, enough to supply a factory team plus 2-3 others). I mean, BMW makes engines but only to Williams; why should Jordan and Minardi, for instance, not be able to buy customer engines from BMW? This is why IRL has an advantage thanks to the engine lease policies they have.

posted by PeteyStock at 04:33 PM on January 15, 2003

This is great. I'd stopped watching formula one, after it became a fair certainty that the person in pole would win the race. Additionally, there never seems to be any overtaking these days. Anything that makes Formula one, (the king of motor sports), more competitive, more exciting to watch is great, and I wholeheartedly applaud these measures. Ta.

posted by BigCalm at 04:33 PM on January 15, 2003

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