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A number of technical and sporting changes have been introduced by the FIA for the 2008 season, while some changes have been applauded, others have been criticized by many important voices in the Formula1 community. But looking at the big picture, it is clear that much more emphasis is now on the reliablity of the cars and on driving skills. Here’s a brief list of the regulation changes for the 2008 season and an explanation of what it means.

1. Traction & Launch control systems are no longer permitted to be used by any of the F1 teams. Their chief function was to prevent the rear wheels spinning if a driver applies too much power. The reason given by FIA for this is that not permitting Traction & Launch control will place more emphasis on Driver skill and this would inevitably increase overtaking on the track which of course would make the sport much more exciting and entertaining.
2. Engine ChangesNot too much surprise here, engine changes can only be made after the current engine has been used for two consecutive races. If the engine does fail in testing or any time before qualifying and has to be changed then the driver gets demoted by 10 positions on the grid. If however, the engine fails after qualifying and it is changed, the driver must then start at the back of the grid. Now, comes the fresh amendment for 2008: Each driver is allowed one ‘free’ change per season, unless that change takes place at the final round. In other words, he will not incur a penalty for his first engine failure of the year, as long it is not at the last event.
3. Gearboxes must now last for four consecutive Grand Prix races. Every unscheduled gearbox change will require the driver to drop five places on the grid at that race. If a driver does not finish any grand prix race, he will be allowed to start the next race with a new gearbox without incurring a penalty.
4. Electronic Control Units (ECUs)The FIA has now standardised ECUs and starting this season, all teams must use FIA approved ECUs to control their cars electronics. Even the software which runs on the ECUs is standardised by FIA and owing to these changes, what the teams are doing can be scrutinised more closely.
5. Cockpit Safety The height of the cockpit padding even on the sides has been increased by the FIA. Obviously, this is to increase the safety of the drivers vital parts such as the head & neck in the event of the crash. It also looks like they may just be anticipating more accidents because of the traction control, gearbox changes and hence this step may also have been taken.
6. Qualifyinghas a couple of slight tweaks too. The duration of the Q1 session has been increased from 15 mins to 20 mins, while that of the Q3 session has been decreased from 15 to 10 mins. The Q2 session will still be for 15 mins. The other change is that the teams which qualify for Q3 do not get the fuel that was lost in this session back.
7. Regulations Over Fuel being used have also been changed to make F1 racing more environmentally friendly. Since 2008, at least 5.75 percent of all fuel must contain bio-matter and, as a result, all cars must be designed to be bio-fuel compliant.

The changes all look good to me. Teams like McLaren & Ferrari have a near endless supply of money to burn and they could well afford to be miles ahead when all that mattered was how much is the budget of the team. The regulation changes lower the gap between the tail end teams and front end ones thus creating a much more level field. I hope we get to see another hottly contested season this year as well with drama on the road as well just as off it.If you want to read the FIA Regulations for the 2008 season in detail, please visit the official formula1 website.

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