Google+ Jack Leslie F1: F1 2015 regulation changes

15 February 2015

F1 2015 regulation changes

Following 2014's dramatic rule changes, the Formula 1 sporting and technical regulations remain relatively stable this year.
© Octane Photographic
Here is a look at all of the key modifications that have been made prior to the start of the F1 2015 season in Australia next month.

Sporting Regulations

After its extremely unpopular introduction in 2014, the controversial double points rule has been dropped for this season.
© Octane Photographic

A Virtual Safety Car (VSC) system will be introduced in 2015, following Jules Bianchi's terrible Japanese Grand Prix crash last year. It will be used when double yellow flags are required but the deployment of the safety car is not.

If a race is red flagged, drivers will now line up in the pit lane rather than on the starting grid. The stewards will now be able to give out 10-second stop/go penalties during races, which must be served in a pit stop.

Should an unsafe release take place in the pits, the driver will be given a 10-second stop/go penalty. If team personnel or equipment remain on the grid after the 15 second signal for the formation lap, the driver concerned must start from the pit lane. The partial team radio ban will be extended this year, after being introduced mid-way through 2014.

Safety car periods should be shorter in 2015. Once all of the lapped cars have overtook the Mercedes SLS AMG, it will return to the pits at the end of the following lap, rather than waiting for them to catch up to the back of the field. The qualifying rules have been clarified, with four drivers being eliminated in both Q1 and Q2 if we have an 18-car grid.

An entire power unit change will now not result in a penalty. Instead, penalties will be given out for individual components being changed. If, due to a driver's qualifying position, the full grid drop cannot be taken, they will be given a time penalty or stop/go rather than the positions carrying over to the next race.

The FIA later announced a ban on in-season helmet design changes, saying in the rules: "In order for drivers to be easily distinguished from one another whilst they are on the track, the crash helmet of each driver must be presented in substantially the same livery at every event during a championship season".

Technical Regulations
© Octane Photographic

As we have already seen, F1 cars are much prettier in 2015 due to tweaks being made to the nose regulations. The modifications have been made to improve safety and stop the 'anteater' style designs that we saw last year. 

The noses are now lower with two fixed cross sections made near the tip to dictate its shape. Furthermore the nose must taper from a specific point backwards at a linear rate and be symmetrical and consistent with the centreline of the car. 

Each driver will now be restricted to four power units over the course of the 20-race season, one less than last year. Honda returns as a manufacturer for 2015, rekindling its iconic partnership with McLaren.

Engine development throughout the year will be allowed after the FIA admitted to a loophole in the rules. Mercedes, Renault and Ferrari have 32 tokens (around 48% of the power unit) to use in 2015, while Honda will have less. 

Having already increased the minimum car weight by 10 kg to 701, it has now been raised to 702 kg. Wind tunnel usage has been restricted, with teams having to nominate just one facility to use for 65 hours per week, rather than the previous 80-hour rule. 

For the full F1 2015 entry list and calendar, go here.

No comments: