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2009 Rules and Regulations
This season the rules in Formula One have changed dramatically, affecting how the cars look and drive. Get in the know with our quick run down of the latest racing innovations.
2009 introduces the largest array of technical developments and new regulations by governing body, the FIA, in the last ten years. Whilst undoubtedly posing challenges for the Formula One constructors and drivers, the plans look to increase overtaking and excitement throughout the season. The sporting regulations have been brought in by the FIA to facilitate cost-cutting measures and increase reliability.
Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS)
One of the major additions to the Formula One technology portfolio is the optional use of a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). KERS recovers the heat energy generated from braking and stores it for use as a boost of up to 80 horsepower for up to 6.67 seconds per lap. The driver has control over this and can operate the system via a boost button on the steering wheel.
The Engine
Drivers will be limited to eight engines per season in 2009, plus an additional four engines available for testing. In order to increase reliability, the engines are restricted to 18,000 rpm (from 19,000 in 2008). Once a driver has used his eight-engine allocation for the season, any further engine change will incur a 10-place grid penalty. If the engine change has been made after qualifying, the driver must start the race from the back of the grid.
Testing
From 2009 onwards, on-track testing is not allowed during the race season and is limited to 15,000km.
Fuel
Felipe Massa putting the new F60 through it's paces
2008 regulations outline that 5.75% by weight of bio-oxygenate must be incorporated in Formula One fuel. Shell and Ferrari have been working together over the past year to develop a new formulation that meets the regulation but also provides maximum performance for the season.
Race fuel load will still be decided in qualifying and the optimum blend of fuel is vital. Fuel blends need to deliver the maximum power to the car whilst maintaining efficiency and drivability.
Tyres
After 10 seasons using grooved tyres, Formula One returns to slick tyres in a bid to focus more heavily on mechanical, rather than aerodynamic, grip. The use of slick tyres will increase grip by about 20%, increasing overall performance, but reducing outright speed through faster corners. Drivers will still have two dry tyre compounds and will still have to use both during a race.
Aerodynamics
Kimi Räikkönen testing in Bahrain, February 2009
The Formula One cars in 2009 will all look much cleaner and simpler, thanks to a dramatic reduction in the use of winglets, barge boards, flicks and fins. Downforce will be much lower and will therefore put more pressure on the tyres to deliver mechanical, rather than aerodynamic grip.
The front wing has been lowered and widened to just 75mm off the floor and 1800mm wide – as wide as the car itself. Drivers will be allowed to make alterations to the angle of the front wing twice per lap with a maximum of 6 degrees of adjustment.
The rear wing has also been modified by the new regulations. The top of the wing is now in line with the top of the engine cover (150mm higher) and narrower by 250mm to 750mm overall.
The FIA is intent of increasing the spectacle of the sport and the changes in the design of the cars has been made to increase overtaking, reduce the role of aerodynamics in the cars’ performance and keep lap times in check. The revisions are designed to allow drivers to follow the driver in front more closely without suffering turbulence to such an extent.
