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With the unanimous agreement of the competing teams, the World Motor Sport Council
approved the following changes to the Formula One Technical and Sporting Regulations.
Safety -
New safety measures in Formula One include:
- a driver start abort system to come into
force 1.1.2002
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a system capable of warning teams and drivers that a speed limit will
be enforced on specific parts of the track to come into force 1.1.2002,
(see note below).
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a collision warning system to come into force 1.1.2003.
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a system capable of warning teams and drivers that a specific speed
profile will be enforced on the whole track to come into force on 1.1.2003.
This system will replace the "Safety car".
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on 1.1.2002, the size of the rear view mirrors will increase from
120x50mm to 150x50mm.
With effect from 16 April 2001 ( for Spanish Grand Prix):
Engines -
A number of engine control parameters will no longer be restricted, these include:
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throttle, ignition and fuel settings, thus permitting the use of a traction control system;
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pit lane speed limiter;
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engine rev limiter.
Starts -
Any system capable of detecting a race start signal will not be permitted.
Clutch -
Clutch control during gear changes will no longer be restricted.
Gearbox -
Fully automatic gear changes will be permitted.
Suspension -
Powered devices of any kind will no longer be permitted in suspension systems. This will prohibit, for example, the use of shock absorbers containing fluid whose characteristics change when electrical current is applied.
Brakes -
Powered devices will no longer be permitted in braking systems. (This will prevent the use of computer controlled brakes).
Steering -
With the exception of power assistance for 2001 only, powered devices will no longer be permitted in steering systems. (This will prevent the use of computer controlled steering).
Differentials -
With the exception of any system which is capable of transferring or diverting torque from a slower to a faster rotating wheel, differential control will now be free. (This will prevent the use of so-called torque-steer differentials).
Software validation -
In order to ensure that all necessary safety measures continue to be taken, the FIA will maintain its software verification routines, the emphasis however shifting from system control to system integrity.
INFORMATION NOTE
FIA TO INTRODUCE INTELLIGENT SPEED LIMITS FOR FORMULA ONE IN
2002
When an accident occurs during a Formula One race, it is necessary to slow competing
cars as they pass the scene, so as not to put track workers at risk. Currently
this is done by showing one or more yellow flags, depending on the degree of
risk. Drivers are then expected to slow down and overtaking is prohibited. The
amount they slow down is a matter for their judgement.
From 2002, this system will be replaced by the imposition of a variable speed
limit. The limit will depend on the layout of the circuit at the accident site
and the degree of risk to track workers. It will be decided by the race director
and communicated electronically to each driver in the relevant area. Cars will
be equipped with means to help drivers to run just under the limit. Cars exceeding
the limit will be detected and given a stop-go penalty.
This technology is available for road cars. It has already been demonstrated.
Using it in Formula One will make the ordinary road user aware of it throughout
the world. It is hoped this will significantly speed up the introduction of
intelligent speed limits in Europe.
In general, current speed limits are out of date, arbitrary and almost always
wrong for the prevailing conditions. On a motorway, the limit is usually too
fast for heavy traffic in pouring rain and too slow for light traffic on a fine
day. Current urban limits are too fast past a school when the children are coming
out, but a very slow limit is unnecessary at the same place at 4 am in the morning.
On public roads, the future is intelligent speed limits properly applied rather
than arbitrary speed limits haphazardly (and thus unfairly) enforced. By demonstrating
intelligent speed limitation in Formula One to a huge world-wide audience, the
FIA hopes greatly to accelerate the introduction of the necessary technology
on the roads. This will be another example of technology transfer from Formula
One making a major contribution to road safety.
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Enrique Bernoldi