Formula One: Team Orders Ban Lifted

We are in between Formula One racing seasons, and as most other years, there are rules that are being changed at this time of the year too (read: Formula One Rules Being Revamped and Formula 1 News: Rules Changed Again). In 2002, Rubens Barrichello allowed then teammate Michael Schumacher to overtake and register a win. This led to the enforcement of a ban on team orders. The rule that came into effect prohibited teams from instructing any of its drivers to cede to his teammate, whatever the reason may be. Though the F1 teams were against this rule and they argued that practically enforcing the rule was really difficult. As a matter of fact, Ferrari were fined this year itself for the usage of team orders.

Anyway, the ban on team orders has been lifted for the 2011 Formula One season. Some other rules that have been changed are: the Kers power-boost system is back and teams will be allowed to use that now. Also, the adoption of movable rear wings which will facilitate overtaking, will also come into effect from 2011. Though these wings will be operated by the drivers themselves, they will be allowed to use them only when the car in front which they plan to overtake is not more than 1 second away. FIA will be electronically monitoring this at all times and the wings will be switched on only when the distance between the 2 cars in under the required limit, that is 1 second. This rule, everyone believes, will help see a lot more overtaking, something which everyone felt was lacking in the sport. And last but not the least, the 2013 season will see the 'green engine' being introduced. This was confirmed by the FIA body. The Formula One governing body also wants to improve engine efficiency by a whopping 35%, a move they feel will also help in attracting more sponsors towards the sport.

So this is the time of rule changes, drivers swapping, and teams getting things fine-tuned, to be ready to compete aggressively in the 2011 Formula One season. One thing is sure, before the start of the next season, a few more changes will surely be coming our way, so stay tuned!