F1 copies Champ Car again

Hot on the heels of F1 copying Champ Car on minimum engine use between rebuilds, option tires, and the proliferation of street racing, comes word that F1 is going to mandate a standard ECU on all cars and ban traction control starting in 2008., a la Champ Car.

Traction control has been banned from Formula One from the start of next year in a move supported by all teams and rubber-stamped by the FIA.

A meeting of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council earlier this week approved a complete ban on traction control.

Article 9.3 of the newly amended rules states: "No car may be equipped with a system or device which is capable of preventing the driven wheels from spinning under power or of compensating for excessive throttle demand by the driver.

"Any device or system which notifies the driver of the onset of wheel spin is not permitted."

Without at standard ECU a ban on traction control is impossible to police. However, the move to a standard ECU in 2008 means that it will be easier for the FIA to police engine management systems and hence traction control.

The width of next year's F1 cars, meanwhile, has been reduced by 200 millimeters, while the reintroduction of slick tires has been delayed and the engine 'freeze' rules slightly relaxed.