FIA Rules & Regulations Sporting Regulations
Classification
A commonly asked question is how drivers can be given a placing in the official race results even though they retired
before the end of the race. The explanation can be found within the FIA regulations regarding classification. These state
that any driver who completed at least 90 per cent of the race distance will be classified, whether or not he was running
when the winner took the chequered flag.If a race is stopped before the full distance and a result is declared, the
classification will reflect the race order at the end of the lap two laps prior to that on which the race was stopped
(see 'Stopping and restarting a race'). For example, if a race is stopped on lap 60, the classification will be as it was
at the end of lap 58.
Driver penalties
Stewards have the power to impose various penalties on a driver if he commits an offence during a race. Offences may
include jumping the start, causing an avoidable accident, unfairly blocking another driver, impeding another driver when
being lapped, speeding in the pit lane etc.The two most common types are the drive-through penalty and the ten-second
time penalty. In the case of the former, the driver must enter the pits, drive through the pit lane at the pit-lane speed
limit and rejoin the race without stopping. Depending on the length of the pit lane this can cost a driver a significant
amount of time.More severe is the ten-second time penalty (also commonly known as a stop-go penalty) where the driver
must not only enter the pits, but must also stop for ten seconds at his pit before rejoining the race. During this time the
driver's team are not permitted to work on the car.In extreme cases the stewards may choose to enforce a third type of
penalty whereby they can force a driver to drop ten grid positions at the next Grand Prix. So even if the driver in question
goes on to qualify in pole position, he will in fact start that race from tenth place.In the case of the drive-through penalty
and the ten-second time penalty, a driver has three laps, from the time his team is notified, to enter the pits (failure to do
so may result in a black flag and the driver being excluded from the race).The only exception is when the penalty is
awarded during the final five laps of the race. In this case the driver may continue and complete the race. However, 25
seconds will be added to his total race time, which may drop him considerably in the final race standings.
Officials
At every Grand Prix meeting there are six key race officials who monitor and control the activities of the stewards and
marshals to ensure the smooth and safe running of the event in accordance with FIA regulations.Four of the six officials
are nominated by the FIA. These are the race director (currently Charlie Whiting), a permanent starter and two additional
stewards, one of whom is nominated chairman. The additional stewards must be FIA Super Licence holders and must not
be of the same nationality as the race organisers.The other two key officials are nominated by the National Sporting
Authority (ASN) of the country holding the race. These are the clerk of the course and an additional steward (who must be
a national of the host nation). Both must be FIA Super Licence holders.The clerk of the course works in consultation with
the race director, who has overriding authority. The race director directs the clerk of the course on how to instruct the
stewards during the various practice, qualifying and race sessions.The race director and the clerk of the course, as well as
the FIA technical delegate (currently Jo Bauer), must all be present at the event from 10am on Thursday (Wednesday in
Monaco) onwards. The race director, the clerk of the course and the chairman of the stewards must all be in radio contact
while cars are on track. Furthermore, at these times the clerk of the course must be in the race-control headquarters and
in radio contact with all of the marshal's posts.
Parc Ferme
All cars must proceed to the FIA's central parc ferme area immediately after Saturday's qualifying session and again
immediately after the race. (After Friday's qualifying session only cars that completed a flying lap are required). Parc
ferme is an enclosed and secure area where the cars are weighed and any other checks deemed necessary by race
officials are made.After Saturday's qualifying session all cars that took part (and any that failed to take to the circuit
during the session) must immediately enter parc ferme. They then remain under parc ferme conditions until the start of
the race on Sunday (though the cars may be moved back to their respective teams' garages).Whilst the cars are under
parc ferme conditions a limited number of team personnel may carry out certain routine work on them, but only with
permission from the FIA. No other work of any kind will be permitted unless deemed absolutely necessary by the FIA
Technical Delegate. Fuel may not be added to or removed from the car. These regulations mean that a team cannot
change the set-up of a car between qualifying and the race.The only exception to this is when there is a "change in
climatic conditions", for example a dry qualifying session followed by a wet race, or vice versa. In this case the FIA will
give the teams permission to make further appropriate changes to their cars.All work carried out on the cars whilst under
parc ferme conditions will be overseen by FIA officials. Should a car require an engine change between qualifying and the
race, then the driver concerned will be required to start from the back of the grid.
Outside assistance
As a general rule a driver must drive the car 'alone and unaided'. However, if a driver stops in a dangerous position
during a race it is the responsibility of the marshals to move the car to safety as quickly as possible. This may involve
assisting a driver to rejoin the race if this is feasible. However, if the car has stalled and the marshals' assistance gets it
restarted (a push start, in other words), then the car in question will be excluded from the race results.
Points
The top eight finishers in each Grand Prix score points towards both the drivers' and the constructors' world
championships, according to the following scale:1st place: 10 points2nd place: 8 points3rd place: 6 points4th place:
5 points5th place: 4 points6th place: 3 points7th place: 2 points8th place: 1 point(The only exception to this is when a race
is stopped with less than 75 per cent of the race distance complete and cannot be restarted. In this situation half points
are awarded.)For example, if in a given race Jacques Villeneuve finishes third for BAR and team mate Jenson Button fifth,
then Villeneuve and Button score six and four points respectively towards the drivers' championship, while BAR score ten
points (six plus four) towards the constructors' championship.The driver with the most points at the end of the season is
declared drivers' champion. Similarly the constructor with the most points is declared constructors' champion. In the case
of a dead heat for a championship place then the driver or team with the higher number of superior race results will be
awarded the place. For example, if McLaren and Jordan finish the season top of the table on equal points, then the team
with the most race wins will be declared champion.
Practice, qualifying and warm-up
At each Grand Prix meeting all drivers may participate in a one-hour practice session on Friday (Thursday at Monaco), two
45-minute practice sessions on Saturday, and two qualifying sessions, one each on Friday and Saturday. In addition, there
is a 15-minute warm-up session commencing 30 minutes prior to Saturday's qualifying session.While practice is not
compulsory, a driver must have participated in at least one qualifying session to be eligible for the race. In each qualifying
session a driver has just one flying lap in which to set a time. This is, of course, preceded by an out-lap and followed by
an in-lap.The drivers run one at a time in a pre-determined order. On Friday they run in drivers' championship order, with
the championship leader going first. On Saturday they run in reverse order of the times set on Friday, the slowest driver
going first. The qualifying runs are split into four groups of five drivers, with a short break between each group.The timing
of the qualifying runs is such that, while more than one driver will be on track simultaneously, no more than one driver will
be on his flying lap at any given time and no driver should be hindered by another during his flying lap. If a driver fails to
leave the pits for his run when required he can take no further part in that session.If a driver stops on the circuit during his
out-lap, similarly he is out of the session, and the following driver will only be released once the stricken car is in a safe
position.If a driver stops on his flying lap he is again out of the session. The red flags will be brought out signalling the
driver currently on his out-lap to return to the pits. He will be allowed to refuel and change tyres ahead of a second
qualifying attempt.The grid for the race will be determined by the times set on Saturday, with the fastest driver taking pole
position. Any driver who fails to set a time on Saturday will start from the back of the grid. If more than one driver fails to
set a time they will start the race in the reverse of their Saturday qualifying order.
Race start procedure
Prior to every Grand Prix the teams and drivers must adhere to a very strict starting procedure. This gets underway 30
minutes before the race start when the pit lane is opened. Drivers are then free to complete a reconnaissance lap of the
circuit before taking up their grid positions. If a driver wishes to complete additional reconnaissance laps he must pass
through the pit lane each time in order to bypass the grid.The pit lane closes 15 minutes prior to the start. Any drivers still
in the pit lane at this time will have to start the race from there. Ten minutes before the start the grid must be cleared
except for team technical staff, race officials and drivers. With five minutes to go all cars must have their wheels fitted
(any car not complying will have to start from the pit lane).Refuelling is allowed on the grid up to five minutes before the
start, but is restricted to 12 litres per car.With a minute to go all cars must have their engines running. All personnel must
then leave the grid at least 15 seconds before the green lights come on to signal the start of the formation lap.Any driver
who has a problem immediately prior to the green light must raise his arm to indicate this. Once the rest of the field has
moved off team personnel may come on to the grid to attend to the car. If the problem cannot be solved within 30
seconds the car will be pushed into the pit lane. If the problem is resolved, the driver may complete the formation lap,
but must start the race from the back of the field.During the formation lap no practice starts are allowed. Overtaking is
also forbidden unless passing a car that has slowed due to a technical problem. Passed cars may in turn re-overtake in
order to regain their grid position if the problem is resolved during the course of the formation lap.However, any driver
who is still on the grid when all other cars have moved off on the formation lap, but then subsequently gets away, may
not re-pass cars to regain his grid position, but must instead start from the back.Once all cars have safely taken up their
grid positions at the end of the formation lap five red lights will appear in sequence at one-second intervals. These red
lights are then extinguished to signal the start of the race.If a driver has a problem on the grid immediately prior to the
start he must raise his arm and the start will be aborted. A new formation lap, which will count towards the race distance,
will begin after a five minute interval.The only exceptions to these start procedures are connected to the weather. If it
starts to rain in the five minutes prior to the start then the abort lights will come on and the starting procedure will revert
to the 15-minute point to allow teams to change to appropriate tyres.If the weather is exceptionally bad the race director
may choose to abort the start and resume the starting procedure only when conditions have improved. Alternatively, he
may decide to start the race behind the safety car.
Safety car
The safety car's main function, as its name implies, is to assist in maintaining safe track conditions throughout the Grand
Prix weekend. It is driven by an experienced circuit driver and carries an FIA observer who is in permanent radio contact
with race control.If an accident or incident occurs that is not severe enough to warrant stopping the race, but which
cannot be dealt with under yellow flags, then the safety car will be called on to the circuit to slow the cars down.It will
come on to the circuit with its orange lights on and all drivers must form a queue behind it with no overtaking allowed. The
safety car will signal backmarkers to pass by using its green light until the race leader is immediately behind it, followed
by the rest of the field in race order.When the safety car is ready to leave the circuit it extinguishes its orange lights,
indicating to the drivers that it will peel off into the pits at the end of the current lap. The drivers then continue in formation
until they cross the start-finish line where green lights will indicate that they are free to race again.In exceptional
circumstances, such as in extremely poor weather, a race may begin behind the safety car, which will put its orange lights
on at least a minute before the start to indicate this. When those lights switch to green the safety car will lead the field
around the circuit in grid order. Overtaking on this first lap is not allowed, unless a car has a problem. The safety car will
peel into the pits at the end of the lap and drivers are free to race once they have crossed the line to commence the next
lap.All laps completed behind the safety car count as race laps.
Stopping and restarting a race
If a race is stopped because of an accident or poor track conditions then red flags will be shown around the circuit and all
drivers must slow and proceed directly to the pits.If less than two laps have been completed then the race will be restarted
and run over the original race distance. All drivers may take up their original grid positions.If more than two laps but less
than 75 per cent of race distance has been completed then the race will be restarted and run over a reduced distance. This
will be the original race distance, less the number of laps completed before the restart, less an additional three laps.The
grid for the restart will be in the race order from the lap two laps prior to the one on which the original race was stopped.
If more than 75 per cent of race distance has been covered when the race is stopped then a result will be declared. The
drivers will be classified according to the race order when the leader crossed the line two laps prior to the lap on which the
race was stopped.
Tyres
There are currently two tyre suppliers (more are permitted) in Formula One racing, Bridgestone and Michelin, and both
companies must be willing to supply at least 60 per cent of the field if required.During a Grand Prix weekend a driver is
allowed to use up to 40 dry-weather tyres (only two different specifications or compounds are permitted) and 28
wet-weather tyres (only one specification permitted). However, how and when these tyres are used is strictly controlled.
For Friday each driver is allocated three sets of dry-weather tyres. No more than two of those sets may be of the same
specification. Before Saturday's qualifying session each driver must nominate which specification he will use for the rest of
the weekend.The dry-weather tyres have four grooves and the spacing and depth of these grooves must conform to strict
specifications. Although there are currently no regulations on tyre wear during a race, the FIA reserve the right to
introduce appropriate procedures if they feel teams are obtaining a performance gain from using very worn tyres.
Under 2003 regulations the tyre suppliers may bring only one specification of wet-weather tyre to each race. This
specification must be one from a selection pre-approved by the FIA. Except on race day, wet-weather tyres may only be
used if the track has been declared wet by the race director.In addition, following a later request from the FIA, from the
2003 Austrian Grand Prix onwards the suppliers must also bring an extreme-weather tyre which is to be used only under
orders from the race director.All tyres are given a bar code at the start of the weekend so that the FIA can closely monitor
their use and ensure that no teams are breaking regulations.
FIA Rules & Regulations Technical Regulations
Bodywork and dimensions
The size and dimensions of Formula One cars are tightly controlled by the regulations. They must be no more than 180cm
wide and no more than 95cm high.Bodywork ahead of the rear wheel centre line must be a maximum of 140cm wide.
Bodywork behind it must be no more than 100cm wide. Front and rear overhangs are limited to 120cm and 50cm
respectively.
Brake system
Formula One cars must have one brake system operated through a single brake pedal. However, the system must
comprise two hydraulic circuits - one for the front wheels and one for the rear. Should one circuit fail the other must
remain operational. Power brakes and anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are not allowed.Each wheel must have no more
than one brake disc of 278mm maximum diameter and 28mm maximum thickness. Each disc must have only one
aluminium caliper, with a maximum of six circular pistons, and no more than two brake pads.The size of the air ducts
used to cool the brakes is strictly controlled and they must not protrude beyond the wheels. The use of liquid to cool the
brakes is forbidden.
Car construction
The construction of Formula One cars and the materials used are strictly controlled by the regulations to maximise their
safety.The main structure of the car comprises a safety cell which contains the cockpit plus the fuel tank, which is housed
immediately behind (but separated from) the driver.This safety cell must meet minimum size requirements and must
have an impact-absorbing structure immediately in front of it. The design of the car must also include an additional
impact-absorbing structure at the rear, behind the gearbox.The car must have two roll structures to protect the driver in
the event of the car overturning. One must be immediately behind the driver's head, the other at the front of the cockpit,
immediately ahead of the steering wheel.The car and its survival cell must pass several strict impact, roll and static load
tests.
Cockpit
The size of a Formula One car's cockpit opening must comply with strict specifications. Compliance with these specifications
is tested by lowering a specially made template into the cockpit.In addition to this, the cockpit must meet numerous other
requirements. A driver must be able to get in and out of the car without removing anything other than its steering wheel.
Once strapped into the car with all his safety gear on, he must be able to remove the steering wheel and get out within five
seconds, and then replace the steering within a further five seconds.The car's survival cell structure, designed to protect
the driver in the event of an accident, must extend at least 300mm beyond the drivers feet, which must not be forward of
the front-wheel center line.
Electrical systems
The electrical and software systems of all cars are inspected by the FIA at the start of the season and the teams must
notify them in advance of any subsequent changes to the systems.All software must be registered with the FIA, who check
all the programmable systems on the cars prior to each event to ensure that the correct software versions are being used.
Electronic systems which can automatically detect the race start signal are forbidden. Launch control systems must include
a signal to prove exactly when the system was activated.All cars must have an accident data recorder. They must also be
fitted with red, yellow and blue cockpit lights which are used to provide drivers with information on track conditions.
Engine
Formula One engines may be no more than 3 litres in capacity. They must have 10 cylinders, with a maximum of 5 valves
per cylinder, and must be normally aspirated.Devices designed to pre-cool air before it enters the cylinders are not
allowed. Nor is the injection of any substance into the cylinders other than air and fuel.Variable-length exhaust systems are
also forbidden.The crankshaft and camshafts must be made of steel or cast iron. For the cylinder block, cylinder head and
pistons, the use of carbon-composite materials is not allowed.Separate starting devices may be used to start engines in
the pits and on the grid. If the engine is fitted with an anti-stall device, this must be set to cut the engine within ten seconds
in the event of an accident.
Fuel
Formula One cars run on petrol, the specification of which is not that far removed from that used in regular road cars.
Indeed, the FIA regulations state that the rules are "intended to ensure the use of fuels which are predominantly composed
of compounds normally found in commercial fuels and to prohibit the use of specific power-boosting chemical compounds.
"All fuel must comply with strict requirements and prior to each race the teams must supply the FIA with two separate five-
litre samples for analysis and approval. Additional samples can then be taken during the event to ensure that there is no
discrepancy between the fuel being used and that previously supplied in the samples.
Fuel system
The fuel tanks on Formula One cars comprise a single rubber bladder. These must be made of materials approved by the
FIA and must be manufactured only by certain approved companies.The tank must be situated directly behind the driver
and directly ahead of the engine. All fuel lines must be self-sealing in the event of an accident and no lines must pass
through the cockpit.The fuel tank must be encased within a crushable structure that forms part of the car's safety cell. This
structure must be able to withstand very high impact loads as specified in the regulations.For refueling during a race, all
teams use identical rigs supplied by one FIA-approved manufacturer. For safety reasons the refueling rate is limited to 12.1
litres per second. Refuelling is also allowed on the grid, up to a maximum of 12 litres, but only from an unpressurized
container.The FIA may take a 1-litre fuel sample from any car at any time during a Grand Prix meeting to check that the
fuel being used is legal.
Safety equipment
All cars must be fitted with a fire extinguishing system that will discharge into the cockpit and engine compartment. It must
be operable by the driver and must function even if the car's main electrical circuit fails. There must also be a switch to
trigger the system from outside the cockpit. Its location on the bodywork is indicated by a red letter "E" inside a white
circle.There must be a circuit breaker switch in the cockpit that the driver can use to cut all the car's main electrical
circuits. This is marked on the dashboard by a red spark in a white-edged blue triangle. There must be an additional switch
that marshals can operate from a distance with the use of a special hook. This switch is located at the base of the car's
main roll-over structure.All cars must have two rear-view mirrors, whose size and location must comply with strict
requirements. Drivers must demonstrate to the FIA the effectiveness of the mirrors by identifying special letter and
number boards placed at various distances behind the car whilst seated in the cockpit.Seatbelts are compulsory in Formula
One racing. Drivers must wear two shoulder straps, one abdominal strap and two straps between the legs. These must
comply with strictly specified FIA standards.All cars must have a red light on the rear of the car in a specific location
defined by the FIA regulations. The driver must be able to switch this light on at any time. This is usually done in poor
weather conditions in order to make the car more visible to following drivers.The cockpit of the car must be padded to
protect the driver in the event of an impact. In particular, the areas immediately behind and to the sides of his head, and
above and to the sides of his legs.In order to easily extract a driver from a car in the event of an accident its seat must
be removable with the driver in place and his seatbelts fastened. The seat must be secured by no more than two bolts,
which can be released using a standard tool issued to all rescue crews.
Suspension and steering systems
Formula One cars must have conventional sprung suspension. Any system, such as active suspension, that can alter the
suspension or its geometry while the car is moving is forbidden.The suspension members must have a symmetrical profile
for the majority of their length. This is to prevent designers using them as aerodynamic devices.Each wheel must be
tethered to the body of the car by two cables, each with its own attachment. The cables must meet specific tensile strength
requirements and are designed to stop the wheels coming loose from the car in the event of an accident or suspension
failure.Power steering systems are allowed, but these must not be electronically controlled or powered. Four-wheel steering
is forbidden. The car's steering wheel, steering column and steering rack all have to pass an FIA impact test.
Television cameras
Throughout the Grand Prix weekend all cars must be fitted with two cameras or camera housings. The cameras are used
to provide on-board TV footage.The cars have a total of five camera mounting points. One camera housing is always
mounted on top of the air box immediately behind the driver's head. The position of the second housing is chosen by the
FIA in consultation with the relevant team and driver.All cars must also be fitted with a timing transponder supplied by the
officially appointed timekeepers. These transponders allow the timekeepers to record every lap time of every car
throughout the weekend.
Transmission system
The majority of modern Formula One cars use seven-speed semi-automatic gearboxes. Regulations stipulate at least four
forward gears, up to a maximum of seven. All cars must also have a reverse gear. Constantly Variable Transmission
(CVT) systems are not allowed and cars may have no more than two driven wheels.For safety reasons all cars must have
a means of disengaging the clutch that is operable from outside the cockpit by marshals. This control is usually situated
just ahead of the cockpit opening and is marked on the car's body by a red letter "N" within a white circle.
Weight
Cars must weigh at least 605kg (including the driver) during qualifying and at least 600kg at all other times. Teams may
use ballast to bring cars up to weight. This must be firmly secured to the cars. Ballast may not be removed or added
during a race.
Wheels and tyres
Formula One cars must have four, uncovered wheels, all made of the same metallic material. Front wheels must be
between 305 and 355mm wide, the rears between 365 and 380mm.With tyres fitted the wheels must be no more than
660mm in diameter (670mm with wet-weather tyres). Measurements are taken with tyres inflated to 1.4 bar.
Roll structure testing
All Formula One cars must pass strict roll structure tests to ensure that the driver is adequately protected should the car
turn over during an accident.
Static load testing
In addition to impact tests, Formula One cars, and in particular the survival cell that houses the driver, must also pass
static load tests. These ensure that the structure of the car meets minimum strength requirements.The survival cell is
tested, as is the nose and the rear impact structure of the car. In addition, the floor below the fuel tank and the rim of
the cockpit must also pass strict tests. All of these requirements help to make Formula One cars safer than ever before.
Impact testing
Formula One cars must pass strict impact tests to ensure they meet the necessary safety standards. The tests must be
carried out under FIA guidelines and in the presence of an FIA technical delegate.The cars undergo a front, side and rear
test. The tests focus on the car's survival cell, which must be left undamaged by the impacts. All structural damage must
be limited to the car's impact absorbing structures, for example, the side-pods, the nose etc.The car's steering column
must also pass an impact test, which simulates the unlikely event of a driver's head striking the steering wheel. The
column itself must deform to absorb the majority of the impact and the wheel's quick release mechanism must not be
damaged.
Oil and coolant systems
The design and location of the oil tanks on Formula One cars are strictly controlled to minimize the risk of oil leaking in the
event of an engine failure or an accident. Oil may not be added to cars during the race.The car's coolant header tank
must have an FIA-approved pressure release valve. The cooling system must not make any use of the latent heat
produced by the cooling process.Coolant and oil lines are not allowed to pass through the cockpit. They must also be fitted
so that any leaked fluid cannot find its way into the cockpit.
BACK TO THE HOMEPAGE
