Technical tweaks for the new F1 season

With the new F1 season starting on Sunday, we look at the biggest technical changes made for this year’s campaign.

AERODYNAMICS

In an attempt to improve overtaking, it is hoped that the aerodynamic changes will reduce “dirty air” and
its influence on the following car.

This should also limit tyre damage, and overheating brakes when slip streaming the car ahead.

This season sees the introduction of a simplified front wing and associated end plates.

The wing width is increased by 200mm and its height by 20mm.

It is moved forward by 25mm, while under the wing, strakes are limited to two per side.

The rear wing height is increased by 20mm and its width by 100mm.

The current DRS aperture is increased by 20mm which should boost the potential power by 25%, while the pressure equalising  end-plate slots will be limited.

Barge boards are changed, with the height reduced by 150mm and moved forward by 100mm to reduce the flow from
the rear of the car.

Brake ducts are changed, with designs simplified so that surface areas are reduced, subsequently having less aerodynamic effect.

POWER UNITS

The power unit regulations remain as per last season.

Each driver is allowed to use, without penalty, three internal combustion engines with turbocharger and the MGU-H per season.

Energy storage units, MGU-K’s and electronic control units will be limited to two per driver per season.

Beyond these limitations, a grid penalty will be imposed.

This year a few changes to that penalty system will be employed to simplify the complicated rulings that leave most of us totally in the dark.

One advantage this season is the increased fuel allowance, up from 105kg to 110kg in an attempt to eliminate the possibility of having to conserve fuel to complete the race.

SAFETY

In addition to the traditional central rear light a LED light is to be affixed to both rear wing endplates.

These must be illuminated whenever the car is using intermediate or full wet tyres.

All helmets supplied by Stilo, Bell Racing, Arai or Schuberth must comply with the new FIA 8860-2018 standard.

Drivers must wear biometric gloves which incorporate sensors monitoring the driver’s pulse rate and oxygen levels in his blood.

This information is transmitted to the medical team before, during and following a crash, assisting rescue personnel.

To ensure driver fitness and the general health of a driver the driver’s weight will now be considered separately as to that of the car.

The minimum weight of the car has been increased from 733kg to 740kg without a fuel load.

At least 80kg of this figure must be attributed to the driver with his seat and driving equipment.

If lighter than this ballast must be added within the cockpit area and nowhere else, avoiding possible benefits to the car’s overall balance.

TYRES

Pirelli, as the official tyre supplier, have reduced the range and changed the coding for 2019.

Gone are the hypersoft, ultrasoft and supersoft names, to be replaced with tyres coded C1 (the hardest compound) to C5 (the softest).

Only three colours will be used, white (hard), yellow (medium) and red (soft) at any race, with Pirelli allocating the grading from the five compound selection.

They will also supply intermediate and full wet tyres as required.

MISCELLANEOUS

There will be no traditional scrutineering at the start of a Grand Prix weekend.

Competitors must sign a declaration that they are in compliance with the rules.

The stewards can carry out random checks at any time.

The traditional chequered flag will be shown but a chequered light panel at the finish line marks the official finish of the race.

On race restarts overtaking is prohibited until a driver crosses the finish line and not the earlier safety car line as previously allowed.

BONUS POINT

2019 will see the re-introduction of a bonus point for the quickest lap in each Grand Prix.

The extra point was last awarded between 1950 and 1959 but will only he handed out if the driver is
classified in the top 10 and will be added on to the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship tables.

A race winner gets 25 points with 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and one for the subsequent places.

Back in 1958, when only the top five finishers scored points but the quickest lap timer did too, Mike Hawthorn beat Stirling Moss to the title by a single point having twice

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.