The weight of the single-seaters unknown in 2010 before the start of the GPs

The FIA has confirmed that it will not publish this year the weight of the single-seaters at the start of the Grand Prix. This means that spectators and viewers will not be able to get an instant insight into the most fuel-efficient engines.

Last season, the governing body revealed the weight of the cars after the qualifying sessions, which showed the different fuel strategies used by the drivers during the races. Although there is a ban on refueling this year, some questions surrounded the publication of the car weights. If this publication were in effect this year, it would have shown the most fuel-efficient cars.

However, in the final version of the 2010 Formula 1 sporting regulations, the FIA removed the rule that required fuel weight to be published. The ban on refueling will place more emphasis on tire change time.

The regulation 23.1 c) stipulates that: « Devices that assist in lifting any part of a vehicle are prohibited in the pits during the race. » The FIA regulations also approve the new points system (25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1) as well as the requirement for drivers who reach Q3 to start the race on the same tires used to set their final qualifying lap.

These announcements were also accompanied by clarifications on the rules regarding the additional test day that teams can obtain in the event of a replacement driver during the season. The test will only be allowed if the replacement driver has not raced in F1 during the previous two calendar years. This test cannot take place on a circuit that hosts an F1 race. Finally, it must occur within 14 days before or after the replacement.

Moreover, if this test is not necessary, the team concerned will have an additional day of inter-season testing the following year.

There were also clarifications to be made regarding engine changes if a driver exceeds the maximum of eight engines allowed during the season. The revised version of regulation 28.4 a) states: « If a driver uses more than eight engines, he will lose ten places on the starting grid of the event during which each additional engine is used. If two of these additional engines are used during a single event, then he will lose ten places on the starting grid of that event and at the following event. »