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Monday, 28 October, 2002, 17:51 GMT

F1 rule changes explained

Michael Schumacher passes in front of the packed grandstands in Japan

F1 bosses are determined to keep the fans happy

BBC Sport Online outlines the changes made by Formula One bosses aimed at making the sport a better spectacle.

1. Qualifying 2. Points 3. Team orders
4. Testing 5. Tyres

Qualifying
For the first time in Formula One history, drivers will have only one lap to determine their grid position.

The single hour-long qualifying session on Saturday afternoon has been dumped in favour of two sessions, one on Friday and one on Saturday.

The format of these sessions has also been changed - cars will now go out one at a time for a single run rather than have a maximum of four attempts at any time during the session.

Eddie Irvine's Jaguar pulls out of the pits during qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix
Cars will go out one at a time in qualifying

The times set on Friday will not count for the grid, but will define the order in which cars qualify on Saturday afternoons.

The drivers will go out in championship order on Friday, with the series leader first. At the first race of the season, the previous year's championship positions will be used.

The cars will then go out in reverse order on Saturday, with the fastest from Friday going out last, the second fastest second last and so on.

The change could lead to more exciting racing as a driver who makes a mistake on a qualifying lap could line up for the race behind slower cars.

However, it could also play to Michael Schumacher's advantage - the German is the best in F1 at reaching the limit of his car on his first flying lap "from cold".

Points
Winning the race will no longer be as big an advantage as it used to be because the difference between first and second place will now be two points rather than four.

The winner will still get 10 points, but the runner-up will now get eight points, rather than six as before.

The hope is that this will keep the championship alive for longer than is the case at the moment.

The points will be extended down to eighth place rather than sixth.

The points will now be 10, eight, six, five, four, three, two, one for first to eighth places.

Team orders
Team orders have been restricted by a new rule, following the controversy over Ferrari's manipulation of race results this season.

Michael Schumacher (left) and Rubens Barrichello on the podium in Austria
Schumacher was gifted victory in Austria

The rules now say that "team orders which interfere with the race result will be prohibited".

In theory, this will prevent a repeat of this year's Austrian Grand Prix, when Ferrari ordered Rubens Barrichello to hand the win to team-mate Michael Schumacher.

However, it remains to be seen how easy it will be to police the rule - teams are likely to be more careful about concealing any intra-team tactics in the future.

Testing
In an attempt to restrict testing and save money, teams who submit to a voluntary reduction in testing during the season will be allowed two hours of extra practice at races.

This will be introduced if at least three teams agree to it by 15 December this year.

If so, then those teams will get extra running on Friday mornings before practice starts at 1100 as long as they agree to do no more than 10 days' testing between 1 March and 1 November.

These teams will also be able to run a third car and driver in this extra session.

This could give teams extra time to familiarise themselves with the circuits - but it is unlikely to be taken up by the top teams, who will view private testing as more important.

Tyres
The rules on tyre supply have been freed up dramatically.

Tyre suppliers will now be allowed to bring two sets of tyres for each of their contracted teams.

This replaces the previous rule which restricted tyre companies to just two types of tyres for all their teams.

The new rule means that tyre companies will be able to tailor tyres to each of their best teams - which would reduce one of the advantages held by Ferrari in 2002.

Their tyre supplier Bridgestone was able to make tyres specifically for Ferrari because they were the Japanese company's only top team.

By contrast, Michelin had to satisfy both McLaren and Williams, forcing them to make compromises in tyre design.

WATCH/LISTEN

ON THIS STORY
	Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone "We hope the changes will liven things up"

F1 season review

Latest news

Changes 'will up costs'

Schumi: It will help me

Minardi back shake-up

Lauda shows support

F1's rules shake-up

Axe falls on Belgian GP

Background

New rules explained

2002 season reviewed

Jonathan Legard

Step in right direction

Rob Bonnet

F1's insoluble problem

HAVE YOUR SAY

See also:

14 Oct 02 | Formula One

Hill: F1 has lost its way

22 Oct 02 | Formula One

Berger calls for change

28 Oct 02 | Formula One

Stewart sees no need for change

Internet links:

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

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Links to more Formula One stories are at the foot of the page.


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