2006 Formula One season: Encyclopedia II - 2006 Formula One season - Changes For 2006

2006 Formula One season - Changes For 2006

2006 Formula One season - Regulations

2006 will see a number of significant changes to the Formula One regulations. In an attempt to curb the increasing engine power levels of recent years, the maximum engine displacement will be reduced from 3.0 to 2.4 litres and the number of cylinders from 10 to 8. However, some teams will be allowed to continue using 3.0 litre 10 cylinder engines with a rev limiter for the 2006 and 2007 season only, in order to avoid the costs of re-engineering their cars in a short period. The switch to smaller engines may not mean a significant decrease in power, however, because some engine suppliers have already indicated that their smaller V8s can rev higher than the 19,000rpms normal for 2005-spec V10s. Initial testing proved that the new engines were six seconds slower than their V10 counterparts, but this margin is set to reduce dramatically as the season draws nearer.

Northampton-based engine builder Cosworth has an enviable record of success with V8 engines, and it claims to have made further history by becoming the first manufacturer to have broken the 20,000rpm limit on track. (December 2005)

In the long run, the FIA intends to introduce greater restrictions on testing and the introduction of standardized electronics, tyres and brakes to reduce costs and entice more new private teams into the sport.

Tyre changes return to Formula One next season. Each driver will be limited to 14 sets of tyres, consisting of 7 sets of dry-weather tyres, 4 sets of wet-weather tyres and 3 sets of extreme-weather tyres.

This new qualifying system consisting of three sessions of varying length. A 15-minute session is held first, in which the 6 slowest cars from that session are eliminated and thus set in grid positions 17 - 22. After a 5 minute break, another 15-minute session is held with the remaining cars, and again the 6 slowest cars are eliminated and set in positions 11 - 16. These 12 drivers that have been eliminated will be placed in parc ferme, with the important distinction that they will be allowed to modify their fuel load, as they see fit.

The remaining 10 cars will then, during a 5 minute break, will declare their fuel loads to the FIA. A final 20 minute session will then set the top 10 grid positions. The teams will be allowed to run their fuel load as low as possible by making as many laps as possible, and thus improve their times as the weight falls. This is an improvement for the TV audience because the teams will need to be out making as many laps as possible to lower their fuel load. Following this session, the top 10 cars will be placed in parc ferme and required to refill their fuel load to the level of that at the beginning of the final 20 minutes.

There is speculation that a small change will come into force on this rule, as a loophole was found by the FIA. It was feared that teams would declare a big fuel-load, but then on the out lap, 'leak' or use a big quantity of fuel and thus having a lighter car to go quicker with. The FIA though will calculate, based on fuel consumption of a V8 engine, how much fuel had been used, and the teams will only be allowed to refill up to that level, instead of the original one given. (Source)

Only one free practice session will take place on Saturdays. It will be one hour in length, and will finish no less than two hours before qualifying, usually between 11.00 and 12.00, replacing the old system of two 45-minute sessions.

2006 Formula One season - Driver/Team

No change in the lineup for the top 2 teams from 2005, Renault and McLaren. Renault retain Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella while McLaren keep Kimi Räikkönen and Juan Pablo Montoya. Renault's test driver Franck Montagny is replaced by Heikki Kovalainen, even though the Frenchman tested for the team during November and December. McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa will stay with the team and will be joined by Gary Paffett, who was signed late in 2005. Alexander Wurz moves from McLaren to Williams to become the team's official test and reserve driver.

At Ferrari, Rubens Barrichello will be replaced by fellow Brazilian Felipe Massa. Massa tested with the Italian team in 2003, and after a year at Sauber where he outperformed team-mate Jacques Villeneuve for the first part of the season, was given a one-year race contract with the Italian team.

Williams have numerous changes since last year. 2006 will see them running with Cosworth V8 engines after they and BMW split. They also switched to Bridgestone tyres, after Michelin decided to supply fewer teams in the championship. Toyota also made the jump to Japanese rubber. The team replace Nick Heidfeld (who moves to BMW Sauber) with a new driver in the form of Nico Rosberg. The young German is the son of the Finn Keke Rosberg who won the championship with the team in 1982. Alex Wurz replaces Antonio Pizzonia as the team's official test and reserve driver.

Honda, formerly BAR, signed Rubens Barrichello ousting Takuma Sato. The Brazilian takes the lead number (11) at Honda after it was 'gifted' to him by Jenson Button who had the right to it. Honda has confirmed the two drivers will have equal status.

Red Bull Racing will run with Ferrari engines, replacing the Cosworth power which brought them to seventh in the standings in 2005.

This year also sees the disappearance of three of the more beloved names in the sport, with Sauber, Jordan and Minardi all leaving the fray. The Sauber name though will remain, although only as a sentiment, as BMW now have total ownership of the team. Jordan changes to MF1 Racing, as Midland start afresh. Minardi will be changed to Scuderia Toro Rosso, after Red Bull bought the team of Paul Stoddart late into the 2005 season.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Changes For 2006", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki