2012 Rule Changes

The FIA published their sporting and technical regulations for 2012 this week. It includes some brand new rules which the drivers will have to adjust to, as well as revised rules and ones which have been left unchanged.

(c) Octane Photographic

Remember back in 2011, we had the new rules such as DRS, KERS, no F-Ducts or Double Diffusers and Gearbox's lasting 5 races. Now let’s look at 2012's new rules.

Click "read more" to see the full run down.

Here are all the new changes for the F1 2012 season.

Crash Testing: Cars must undergo all pass their mandatory crash tests before being driven. They also must go through more severe side impact testing as well as toughening all the other tests. In the past cars had to pass crash tests before the first race of the season.

Testing: After being banned in 2009, in season testing will make a return with a test scheduled on the 1st May 2012 at the Mugello circuit. Testing is limited still to 15 days, so the winter testing has been stripped back. The test at Mugello will last 3 days.

Race Suspension: The races will have a maximum limit of 4 hours to be completed unless a red flag comes out the race is aborted. This rule is to avoid lengthily races which last up to 8 hours long because of a long suspension; an example of this is Canada 2011 which lasted over 4 hours. Also with this rule is that drivers who are in the pit lane when the race is suspended can re-join if there is a restart.

Safety Car: All lapped car's will be allowed to un lap themselves and re-join to the back of the field, this is so leading cars are not impeded by slower drivers, like we have seen many times in 2011.

Air Guns: Air Guns in 2011 contained helium to speed up the rotation speed. However for 2012 it will now be banned as it was found to be too expensive, with little competitive advantage.

Flags: A double waved yellow flag will now mean a Marshall is on the track, or working beside the track.

Leaving the track:  Drivers will be questioned if they cut or leave the track on reconnaissance and in-laps. They will not be allowed to do this to save fuel or tyre wear unless they have a valid reason.

Weaving and Blocking: Drivers are now not allowed to weave on a straight or move to the racing line when defending a position into a corner, avoiding possible incidents and collisions.

Tyres: Whereas in 2011 tyres were allocated 11 sets of dries and only 3 of those were allowed to be used in FP1 and FP2, Drivers will now be able to use whatever tyres they want on the first day of driving.

Blown Diffusers: Blown Diffusers, off throttle blowing of air under the diffuser which creates more down force when cornering, will be strictly regulated for 2012. It was originally scheduled to be banned from the British Grand Prix onwards in 2011 after the FIA saw what a big difference it made, but that was pushed back to 2012. It is also restricting engine mapping for 2012.

Nose cones: The 2012 technical regulation changes mean that the 2012 cars will all have lower, re-profiled noses. The 2011 regulations meant that noses could be at a maximum height of 24.6 inches but 2012 See's them being restricted to 22 inches.

As you can see the rules are not as extreme as 2011 with the 107% rule, F-Duct banning and KERS/DRS/Pirelli introduction but the additional rules and maintaining of previous rules will obviously improve the spectacle and racing.

Comment your thoughts below, what should they change and what changes do you agree/disagree with?