2008 Regulations: A giant leap forward!

The FIA has published its draft Technical and Sporting Regulations for the 2008 season and there are some VERY interesting rules in the Pipeline...

"The new regulations include:

A "centreline downwash generating" split-plane rear wing to become compulsory - this will dramatically reduce the "wash" from the back of a car, allowing closer racing.

Banning new technologies that give teams a clear performance advantage (and which are subsequently adopted by other teams) after one season - this will allow the teams to benefit from the innovation, but prevents out-of-control spending on trying to develop it.

A 19,000 rpm rev limit on engines to reduce costs, and also to "redirect engine research towards road-relevant technologies."

A standard Engine Control Unit (ECU) for all teams to limit the use of driver aids and to allow the FIA to check mileage.

A return to slick tyres to increase mechanical grip to offset the loss of aerodynamic grip. Drivers will also be able to adjust tyre pressures from inside the car to compensate for periods of slow running.

Other changes include reducing the minimum weight of a Formula One car from 605kg to 550kg to eliminate the need for ballast in cars, the use of fuel partially derived from bio-power sources and even proposals to allow manufacturers to experiment with the use of hybrid technology, storing and then reusing energy normally lost under braking.

Amendments are also proposed for the Sporting Regulations, including the requirement for engines to last for three events, tranmissions to last for four events, testing restrictions and a move to a single tyre supplier, to ensure a level playing field for all runners." F1.com

Finally!!! Regulations which will direct R&D towards technologies which are relevant to the cars we drive!

I'm especially happy about the bio-power and hybrid technology requirements, it's about time! The other regs should also stop this idiocy where one a few teams with the most money always win. I'm not a proponent of identical cars, like A1, as there has to be competition between teams, but I'm all in favour of stopping the teams with the most money stomping all over the smaller teams.

But why do we have to wait until 2008?!?!? I suppose they've already begun working on the 2007 cars, but I'd like to see some hybrid cars next year, as well as biofuel.