Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, has already outlined some of the regulation changes that will affect teams for the next three seasons.
With immediate effect, the FIA has removed the ban placed on team orders. The controversial rule was exploited this year by a poorly coded message that allowed Ferrari team-mates Fernando Alonso and Felipe Mass to swap places during the German Grand Prix. Alonso went on to win that race and the Italian team escaped with a paltry $100 000 fine despite infringing article 39.1 which strictly forbids any team orders. As of 2011 the rule has been deleted from the sporting code.
Other major revisions for next season is the introduction of driver-adjustable rear wings, outlawing double diffusers and a requirement for gearboxes to last five rather than four race weekends.
One of the most exciting changes will come in 2013 with the introduction of a new engine formula. The current 2,4-litre V8 screamers will be replaced by 1,6 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines. Rev limits on the new engines will be reduced from the current 18 000 to a maximum of 12 000 r/min.
Older Formula One fans may rememeber the fire-breathing turbo monsters of the 1980s. Legend has it that the more powerful cars on the grid were producing 1500 bhp (1 125 kW) from 1,5-litre engines, in qualifying trim. Rest assured that engineers have plenty of turbo tricks to extract copious amounts of power from force-fed engines.
The more environmentally-friendly units are expected to deliver a 35 per cent reduction in fuel consumption. Energy recovery systems such as KERS and additional energy management will be utilised to ensure the same level of performance as today's cars
“The WMSC approved the introduction of a new specification engine from 2013, underlining the FIA’s commitment to improving sustainability and addressing the needs of the automotive industry,” explained the FIA. “Following dialogue with the engine manufacturers and experts in this field, the power units will be four cylinders, 1.6 litre with high pressure gasoline injection up to 500 bar.”
Currently drivers can use eight engines a season without penalty but this will be limited to five in 2013 and reduced to four for subsequent seasons.