F1 calendar is hosting its third race today

The FIA moots changes to technical and racing regulations every season for Formula Once racing. Some of these are carried out for safety, while some are designed to cut costs and bring some additional excitement into the sport. The 2004 season, which is just two races old, has brought in some changes.

In the 2004 Formula One Championship, only one V10 engine per driver per race will be available. Drivers can use a spare engine, but he will be demoted 10 places down the grid.

The number of dry-weather tyres available to each driver during the event will remain the same at 40-20 front and 20 rear.

Each team will be allowed to use four drivers during each season, not including any third driver running in the Friday session.

The speed limit for qualifying and race in pit lanes will be raised to 100 kph from the previous 80kph.The fight against electronics in F1 cars will see launch control banned, although the controversial “traction control” still remains.

The latest cars have been subjected to a fresh set of aerodynamic changes. This has been done to cut cornering speeds and increase the speed available for sponsors.

F1’s qualigying format will be split into two separate Saturday sessions form the Bahrain Grand Prix. The FIA decided earlier last week to start pre-qualifying at 1pm local time, an hour earlier than the first two races, with final qualifying for the grid starting at 2pm.

(Source: Gulf News)