F1 Operational Changes coming..

[MattR]

Some intersting changes regarding getting rid of friday drivers, and some improvements to the qualifying format.

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/head...09140218.shtml

Friday drivers will almost certainly not be needed in 2007, with the F1 Commission proposing to abolish the use of third cars at Grand Prix at the end of the year.

In a document outlining changes to the sporting regulations, the governing FIA said that the amendment would 'eliminate the possibility for certain teams to run a third car on Fridays'.

Only teams in the bottom six constructors' from the previous year can operate a 'Friday' car, but it often resulted in the anomaly of grandee teams like McLaren and Honda legally exploiting the rule.

The F1 Commission also tweaked the current 'knockout' qualifying format, with the changes to take effect from Magny Cours if given the nod by a fax vote of the World Council.

Five minutes have been lopped from the final top-ten runout, with the FIA explaining that the fuel-burn laps had 'no relevance to grid positions'.


Another slight tweak is that in Q1 and Q2, a driver may complete his current lap after the clock has run down to zero. Ostensibly for reasons of simplicity, the FIA said the change would 'ensure that each of the three periods of qualifying finish in the same way'.

In 2007, it is proposed that Bridgestone only be allowed to offer two specifications of tyre to the entire field. Previously, tyre suppliers could prepare two specs for each team.

The reason is to 'ensure that identical tyres are available to every team at each Event'

[sperry]

I think all those changes are good. Now, if they'd just ditch the 2 race per motor rule, and let the teams qualify on any fuel load (I like the strategy of the qualifying on race fuel, but think it's too complicated for fans to understand), I think things would be far simpler.