Formula 1 News: Rules Changed Again

As we near the start of a brand new Formula 1 season, in a month's time, a few more rule changes have come into effect. In December I had written about the point system change for the 2010 season. (read: Formula One Rules Being Revamped). But a new point system has come into effect after an agreement was reached between the governing body (FIA) and the teams. The Formula 1 Commission accepted the changes proposed after a meeting was held on Monday.

Until the 2009 season, the points for places 1 to 8 were, 10 - 8 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1. Then in December, it was changed to a point system for places 1 to 10, which was, 25 - 25 - 15 - 10 - 8 - 6 - 5 - 3 - 2 - 1. With the latest change, the point system for the 2010 season will finally be 25 - 18 - 15 - 12 - 10 - 8 - 6 - 4 - 2 - 1. The basic idea being that a bigger gap between the points for first and second place will provide more incentive for winning races.

There are also a few other rules that have been changed from this year onwards. Refueling has been banned from now on, and pit stops will only entail tire changing and repair work. Those cars that run in the final 10-minute qualifying session, need to start the race on the same set of tires that they set their grid time in. There was also a move to ban the split level or double decker diffuser. But this change has been pushed forward for the 2011 season onwards. Though it won't be banned completely, its height will have to be reduced from 175mm to 125mm at the most.

The aim of all the tweaks in the rules is just to make the sport more exciting and competitive. Rest assured, we are all in for a cracking 2010 season.