brouhaha: the swan song

brouhaha n. the confused noise of many voices

the swan song

Published Wednesday, July 06, 2005 by anish | E-mail this post

Max Mosley announced the new regulations for the year 2008 recently. If anybody has thought that F1 was suddenly getting more interesting this year, it wont last long.

A single, control-spec Engine Control Unit (ECU) for all competitors, "manufactured by an FIA designated supplier to an agreed specification."

Standard gearboxes fitted with common parts for all cars - with control to be via a driver-operated clutch pedal and gearshift similar to those of a conventional road car.

Revised bodywork to reduce downforce by approximately 90 percent while allowing cars a wider track.

Tyres supplied by a single manufacturer to all teams, the reintroduction of slick tyres and larger wheels - plus a ban on tyre-heating devices.

A "minimum specified" centre-of-gravity for every Formula One chassis and improved impact testing.

Standard brakes for all competitors to reduce development costs.

Greater control over which materials can be used for the construction of a car's bodywork.

The compulsory installation of a starter motor.

A ban on spare cars, with only spare chassis permitted at events.

A limit on testing to a maximum of 30,000km per team per year.

The right for a team to buy a complete car or any part of a car from another constructor, with "further discussion" over how this would effect the award of Constructors' Championship points.

Why stop there ? I have an idea, why not get just one driver to drive one car around the same track 18 times a year ? GPWC, here I come !