The Ultimate F1 FAQ
1. Who organises the Formula One World
Championship?
2. How far back does
Formula One go?
3. Why was the Federation
Internationale De L'Automobile (Fia) created?
4. "Formula
One": what is the current formula?
5. What is a Grand Prix?
6. How is the World
Champion title obtained?
7. What is the scale of
points?
8. How many Grands Prix
are held every year?
9. Is the Grand Prix
timetable always the same?
10. Can any circuit host
a Grand Prix?
11. How is a circuit
deemed suitable to hold a Grand Prix?
12. What criteria must a
constructor meet to be able to participate?
13. Who is the
constructor of a Formula One car?
14. Do the constructors
have to compete throughout the season?
15. On what criteria are
the Formula One technical regulations based?
16. Can any driver
compete in a Grand Prix?
17. Are the teams
allowed to change driver during the season?
18. Do the drivers keep
the same race number throughout the season?
19. Is the number of
laps during the practice sessions free?
20. What is the warm-up?
21. Can the drivers
change cars during the event?
22. How do drivers
qualify for a race?
23. How is the starting
grid arranged?
24. Do the constructors
design special cars for the qualifying session?
25. How long does a
Grand Prix last?
26. Does a Grand Prix
always go ahead, rain Or shine?
27. How powerful are
Formula One engines?
28. What speeds do
Formula One cars reach?
29. Are the cars
currently used faster than the cars of the "Turbo" era?
30. Can a Formula One
car race without suspension like a Kart?
31. Why do the
regulations require the cars to have a flat bottom?
32. Are Formula One cars
fitted with a starter?
33. Do Formula One cars
have automatic gearboxes?
34. How many gear ratios
do Formula One cars have?
35. Do Formula One cars
have better brakes than series produced cars?
36. Is a special type of
fuel used in Formula One?
37. How many tyres are
authorised per car at each Grand Prix?
38. How is the type of
rubber selected?
39. Are the cars checked
during the event?
40. How are the fuel
checks carried out?
41. How can prohibited
electronic functions be detected?
42. What role does the
technical delegate play?
43. Who are the stewards
and what are their powers?
44. What type of
sanctions may be imposed?
45. What is a "time
penalty"?
46. Are the Stewards'
decisions final?
47. What is the
International Court of Appeal?
48. What are the
prerogatives of the clerk of the course and the race director?
49. How is the race
started?
50. How are false starts
detected?
51. What happens if a
driver stalls on the starting grid?
52. What happens if more
than one driver is unable to start of the formation lap?
53. Are there special
starting procedures in the event of rain?
54. Is the race stopped
in case of rain?
55. Can the race be
stopped?
56. What procedures
apply when the race is interrupted?
57. When is the Safety
Car used?
58. What procedure is
followed for the Safety Car?
59. Do the laps covered
behind the Safety Car count?
60. May a car stop at
its pit whilst the Safety Car is on the track?
61. Is refuelling
allowed during the race?
62. Are there any speed
limits?
63. In what conditions
are the cars weighed?
64. What are the
different signals which the officials may give to the competitors?
65. Does the chequered
flag always signal the finish?
66. Is private testing
on circuits authorised?
1. Who organises the Formula One World Championship?
The sporting branch of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA Sport. The FIA
governs motor sport world-wide and, as such, administers the Formula One and World Rally
Championships, and the F3000 and GT Championships, as well as all other international
motor sport.
The Formula One World Championship was created in 1950 and is the oldest FIA Championship.
It also has the greatest media impact. It is estimated that the sixteen Grands Prix of the
1998 season attracted over 55 billion television viewers, whilst the printed press
maintained a significant presence, with an average of 650 journalists and photographers
from 63 countries travelling from all over the world to cover each event.
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2. How far back does Formula One go?
There was no "formula" from the heroic era of the motor car in 1894 (the year of
the first motor race in history, from Paris to Rouen) up until 1900. The existing vehicles
were simply raced. A differentiation was made between the cars on the basis of their
method of propulsion (petrol or steam), and their number of seats. At the time, cars
always had at least two seats, and it was not until the end of the 1920s that
single-seater cars were used. The invention of the rear-view mirror made an important
contribution to this development, since one of the mechanic's tasks was to warn the driver
that someone was trying to overtake him.
Immediately after its creation in 1904, the FIA, which is the international sporting
authority, became obliged to formulate restrictions to ensure the safety of the drivers
and spectators, and to guide motor sport in a direction which would benefit the
development of road cars, thus setting a pattern which has been repeated throughout the
long history of motor sport. From 1907 to 1939, almost every possible formula was tried.
The minimum weight, maximum weight, consumption and bore were each restricted in their
turn, but the formula most frequently used, even after 1939, was to limit the cylinder
capacity of the engines. This restriction was first introduced in 1914.
Following the introduction of the first "formula" defined by the FIA (which
restricted maximum weight) in 1904, categories were created for the smaller cars, yet the
name "Formula One" did not appear until after the Second World War. The FIA
Formula One World Championship was created in 1950, and the first Formula One race
counting for the FIA Formula One World Championship was the British Grand Prix, which took
place in Silverstone the 13th May 1950. Back to Top
3. Why was the federation internationale de l'automobile (FIA)
created?
Prior to 1904, every country and automobile club organised races, each with its own set of
regulations.
It was thus virtually impossible to organise international races, since there were no
common regulations.
The most influential Automobile Clubs of the time therefore decided to put an end to this
situation, which was preventing motor sport from flourishing, by creating an international
organisation which would draw up common regulations, applicable to races all over the
world. This led to the birth of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (the FIA),
which was thus able to guarantee to English or German drivers, for example, that the same
rules would apply whether they were racing in France, Italy, Belgium, or Monaco.
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4. "Formula one": what is the current formula?
In addition to a large number of specifications relating, in particular, to safety and
aerodynamics, the current formula restricts the cylinder capacity of the engine to 3
litres, prohibits supercharging and stipulates a minimum weight of 600 kg, including the
weight of the driver and his race equipment.
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5. What is a Grand Prix?
The first race to be given the "Grand Prix" title was the Grand Prix de
l'Automobile Club de France held at Le Mans in 1906. It was restricted to "big
cars", which could be described as the "Formula One" cars of the period.
From then on, the term Grand Prix became associated with all types of circuit races for
cars. Major events, which were the equivalent of today's Grands Prix, were called
"Grandes Epreuves" (Great Events). However, the FIA was opposed to the popular
usage of the "Grand Prix" title, which it wished to reserve for events counting
towards its Formula One World Championship. Henceforth, it became prohibited to use the
Grand Prix title for an event which did not count towards this Championship, except for
very rare cases with historic justification, such as the Grand Prix de Pau, which is
currently a Formula 3 event.
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6. How is the World Champion title obtained?
There are two titles: "drivers" and "constructors". The drivers' title
has been awarded since 1950, whilst the Constructors' title was introduced in 1958. The
constructors add together the points scored in every race by each car of their make (they
cannot enter more than two), in the same way as the drivers accumulate the total number of
points scored in each event (at one time they could cancel their worst results).
In the event of a dead heat, the title is decided on the basis of the quality of the
places obtained, that is, the number of first places, followed by the number of second
places, etc.
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7. What is the scale of points?
The scale of points awarded to the first six finishers in each race has been modified on
two occasions, the most recent of which was in 1991; the first now obtains 10 points
(previously nine, and only eight between 1950 and 1960), and the following five are
awarded: 6 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 points. There was a time when the driver who recorded the
fastest lap was given 1 point.
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8. How many Grands Prix are held every year?
When the World Championship was created, Formula One was not as popular as it is today,
and the 1950 Championship, for example, consisted of only 7 Grands Prix. This figure
gradually increased, peaking at 17 events in 1977. It was then limited to 16, and the
possibility of holding a maximum of 17 events was reintroduced in 1996.
A minimum of eight events out of those entered on the calendar must take place for the
World Champion Drivers' and Constructors' titles to be awarded. The 1997 Argentine Grand
Prix was the 600th Grand Prix counting towards the FIA Formula One World Championship.
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9. Is the Grand prix timetable always the same?
Yes, as follows:
Friday*: Free practice from 11:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 14:00
Saturday: Free practice from 09:00 to 09:45 and from 10:15 to 11:00
Qualifying practice from 13:00 to 14:00
Sunday: Warm-up (30 minutes) 4 hours 30 minutes
before the start of the race
Start of the race: usually at 14:00 (local time),
except for exceptional cases.
(*) Thursday for the Monaco Grand Prix
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10. Can any circuit host a Grand Prix?
Originally, a Grand Prix could be held anywhere, but the increases in car performance have
forced the FIA to impose stringent conditions on the lay-out, width and length of a
circuit, as well as the surface, safety provisions and facilities.
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11. How is a circuit deemed suitable to hold a Grand Prix?
Each circuit must be homologated by the FIA Circuits and Safety Commission following a
series of inspections which are carried out from the start of the work right up until the
inauguration of the circuit. The homologation criteria are less strict for circuits
hosting events for slower formulae. In addition to the initial procedure, the circuits
sometimes have to carry out maintenance work or update their facilities so that their
homologation may be renewed. In the past, with the exception of the Monaco Grand Prix,
which is the only event to take place within a town itself, circuits tended to be very
fast with long straights. The increase in the cars' performances has meant that these
straights have had to give way to series of bends, which are the only means of preventing
excessive speeds. Similarly, very long tracks, like that at the old Nurburgring (22.835
km), have had to be abandoned, since the costs involved in providing the safety facilities
and personnel required by the regulations together with the technical facilities necessary
for television broadcasting are too great. Monaco is still the shortest circuit (3.328
km), whilst Spa is the longest (6.940 km).
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12. What criteria must a constructor meet to be able to participate?
A constructor who wishes to become involved in Formula One must submit his entry to the
FIA, to which he must provide evidence that he is both the designer and constructor of the
chassis of his car, and that he also has sufficient technical and financial resources to
take part in the whole of the Championship.
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13. Who is the constructor of a formula one car?
By Formula One constructor, we mean the chassis manufacturer. In most cases, this is not
the same as the engine manufacturer, and the name of the chassis manufacturer is always
given before that of the engine manufacturer. In the event of winning the Constructors'
World Championship, the title is awarded to the chassis manufacturer.
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14. Do the constructors have to compete throughout the season?
Yes. Any constructor who fails to turn up at an event may be fined several hundred
thousand dollars per event and per car, except in the case of exceptional circumstances
(but the FIA is very strict when it comes to defining such a case). A constructor may not
join the championship during the season.
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15. On what criteria are the Formula One Technical regulations
based?
They address two main concerns:
Controlling performance, in the interests of safety, whilst at the same time preserving
the visual perception of speed and of the technological prowess of a Formula One car;
Ensuring the best possible level of passive safety in the event of an accident.
There are thus restrictions on cylinder capacity, fuel, tyre dimensions, the minimum
weight and width of the car, as well as on the dimensions and positioning of the
aerodynamic devices and on electronic driving aids, most of which are prohibited.
Moreover, there are stipulations relating not only to the strength of the chassis and the
protective rollbars, but also to flexible fuel tanks (inspired by military aviation), fire
extinguishers, harnesses, head and neck protection, and so on. The positions of the fuel
and oil tanks are specified and they must have special protection. Access to and from the
cockpit together with its dimensions are also controlled.
For financial reasons, engines which are not reciprocating or 4-stroke are prohibited, and
the engines are restricted to a maximum of twelve cylinders which cannot have an oval
section. It is obligatory for each car to have four wheels, only two of which are driven
(yes, in the past there were Formula One cars with six wheels!).
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16. Can any driver compete in a Grand Prix?
In order to be able to take part in a Grand Prix, a driver must hold a "Super
Licence", which is awarded on the basis of his past record in junior formulae and of
his having a valid contract with a Formula One team which has entered the World
Championship.\
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17. Are the teams allowed to change driver during the season?
Yes, each team with two cars may change the driver of its first car once in the season.
For the second car, a maximum of three drivers may take turns, without restriction, during
any one season. This excludes cases of exceptional circumstances, which are considered
separately. Notification of a change of driver must be made before the end of the
scrutineering and the sporting checks (the Thursday preceding the event, at 16:00).
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18. Do the drivers keep the same race number throughout the season?
Yes, if they stay with the same team, as the numbers are attributed to the constructors,
not the drivers, at the beginning of the season. The only exceptions to this are the
reigning World Champion, who is always allocated number 1 even if he is driving for a
different make from that with which he won the title, and his team mate who is given
number 2.
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19. Is the number of laps during the practice sessions free?
For qualifying practice, a maximum of 12 laps is allowed and any driver running over the
maximum of 12 laps will have its best qualifying time withdrawn. The number of laps is no
longer limited for the free practice sessions, including the warm-up.
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20. What is the warm-up?
The warm-up is a free practice session which takes place on the morning of the race and
lasts for half an hour. Only drivers who have qualified may take part in it. It is
obligatory for this practice session to begin four and a half hours before the start of
the race. If all the practice sessions have taken place in dry conditions and it begins to
rain after the warm-up, or vice-versa, the Race Director may authorise an additional
15-minute practice session, which will allow the cars to adapt to the weather conditions.
The warm-up is very important, since it enables the teams to test the cars in their race
configuration, in conditions (pressure, temperature, humidity, etc.) which are,
theoretically, very similar to those of the race itself.
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21. Can the drivers change cars during the event?
During the practice sessions, each two-car team may use a maximum of two cars for each day
of free practice, and a maximum of three cars for qualifying practice, provided that all
the cars have been checked by the Scrutineers and are of the same make (chassis and
engine).
During the race, however, no change of car is authorised following the green light
signalling the start of the formation lap.
Nevertheless, if the race is interrupted before two laps have been completed, the starting
procedure is repeated and starts again from the T-15 point. Car changes are authorised
once again until the green light (indicating the start of the formation lap) is shown.
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22. How do drivers qualify for a race?
Qualifying practice is on Saturday, from 1 PM to 2 PM. During this hour each driver has a
maximum of 12 laps to set the fastest possible time.
The driver who set the fastest time will start from the first line in the so-called
"pole position", and the others will line up on the grid in the order of the
times they have achieved. In the event of a tie, the driver who achieved the time first is
given priority.
Any driver whose fastest time in qualifying practice exceeds the pole position time by
107% or more is not allowed to start without special permission of the stewards.
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23. How is the starting grid arranged?
The starting grid consists of two cars per row in staggered formation, with an interval of
eight metres between each row and the next.
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24. Do the constructors design special cars for the qualifying
session?
Special cars as such are not built specifically for qualification, but, in a few cases
only, special engines, or even special set-ups, are designed for qualifying practice, so
that the engine's full potential may be reached, even though this shortens its life-span.
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25. How long does a Grand Prix last?
The distance of a Grand Prix is the least number of laps which exceeds 305 km, and no race
may last for more than two hours. On certain slower circuits (such as Monaco), in the
event of rain, the Clerk of the Course is sometimes obliged to stop the race after two
hours.
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26. Does a Grand Prix always go ahead, rain or shine?
Yes, a Formula One Grand Prix takes place in all weather conditions, and the tyre
manufacturers have developed treaded tyres which help to avoid the risk of aquaplaning.
Nevertheless, the Race Director has the power to stop the event, if this becomes necessary
for safety reasons. Apart from grip, the greatest problem in the event of rain is
visibility, which is significantly reduced due to the spray thrown up by the cars' tyres.
In order to counteract this problem, the cars are equipped with a red light at the rear
which must be switched on if it starts to rain.
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27. How powerful are Formula One engines?
Even though the constructors refuse to divulge details of their engine power, it is
rumoured that during the 1998 season the maximum power easily exceeded seven hundred horse
power and that now, in some case, it may exceed eight hundred. Manufacturers of engines
with eight or ten cylinders maintain that maximum power is not always the most important
factor, since there is also the power curve which in their case is better at a low engine
speed. Having power available at lower engine speeds is of equal importance, especially on
slow circuits.
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28. What speeds do Formula One cars reach?
The Grand Prix with the highest average speed in history was the 1971 Italian Grand Prix,
won by Peter Gethin in a BRM at an average speed of 242.615 kph (150.754 mph) on the Monza
circuit which at the time did not yet have any chicanes (interestingly, a recent computer
simulation suggested that current Formula One cars would achieve an average speed of well
over 300 kph - 190 mph - on the original circuit). In 1998, the fastest Grand Prix was the
Italian, won by Michael Schumacher at an average of 237.591 kph (147.633 mph). The highest
speed recorded during practice in 1998 was 244.413 kph (151.971 mph), which was set at
Monza by Eddie Irvine, whilst the highest straight line speed recorded during a Grand Prix
in the 1998 season was set by David Coulthard, at 356.5 kph (221.5 mph), during the German
Grand Prix. The lowest average speed of a Grand Prix winner in 1998 was 141.458 kph
(87.898 mph), and was recorded by Mika Hakkinnen in the Monaco Grand Prix.
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29. Are the cars currently used faster than the cars of the
"turbo" era?
If a 1.5-litre turbocharged car were produced today, as was the case up until 1988, it
would be a great deal faster than the contemporary 3-litre cars. However, contemporary
cars benefit from significant technological progress, allowing them to exceed the speeds
of the 1988 turbocharged models, despite the fact that these were able to rely on over
1200 horse power in qualifying! Back to Top
30. Can a Formula One car race without suspension like a kart?
The regulations stipulate genuine suspension - the fitting of silent-blocks is not
sufficient. However, the current cars have very little suspension travel, in order to
restrict changes in trim which would influence the effectiveness of the aerodynamic
devices.
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31. Why do the regulations require the cars to have a flat bottom?
It became evident that significant downforce could be achieved by giving the bottom of the
two side members the shape of inverted aeroplane wings. In order to reduce downforce (the
so-called "ground effect"), and thus reduce cornering speed, the FIA made it
obligatory for each car to have a flat bottom between the rear wheel centre line and the
rear of the front wheels, as well as a ground clearance obtained by means of a skid block
attached to the flat bottom. The constructors have nevertheless managed to optimise the
behaviour of the aerofoils and aerodynamic extractors situated behind the gear box, to
such an extent that a current Formula One car is capable of a transverse acceleration of
up to 4G, whereas a road car does not exceed 1G.
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32. Are Formula One cars fitted with a starter?
A starter has not been obligatory for several years, and teams choose not to fit one in
order to prevent an additional source of energy from causing incidents such as a fire or
an explosion. They are authorised to use a portable starter in front of their pits, but if
a driver stalls on the circuit during the race, he has to retire, even if the car restarts
once the marshals have pushed it away from a dangerous position. Most cars are however
fitted with sophisticated electronically controlled anti-stall systems.
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33. Do Formula One cars have automatic gearboxes?
Automatic gearboxes are prohibited by the technical regulations. However, all the cars are
equipped with semiautomatic gearboxes: to change gear, the driver no longer has to
activate the clutch pedal at the same time as the gear lever. He simply presses a button
on the side of his steering wheel. There is a button on each side: one for changing up,
the other for changing down. He therefore no longer has to take his hand off the steering
wheel, and this hydraulic device, which is electronically activated, allows the driver to
change gear in one or two hundredths of a second, which is unquestionably faster than with
a conventional system.
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34. How many gear ratios do Formula One cars have?
The rapid changes possible with semiautomatic gearboxes mean that transmissions with a
greater number of ratios (six or seven) can be installed. On circuits with a large number
of bends, the drivers only use four or five ratios. Reverse gear is obligatory, but must
not be used in the pit-lane.
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35.Do Formula One cars have better brakes than series produced cars?
The brakes on series-produced cars are derived from the disc brakes which were first used
in racing. All Formula One cars are equipped with brakes with calipers made from light
alloy while the discs and pads tend to be made from synthetic materials, i.e.
carbon/carbon. Their resistance to heat is much greater than that of series-produced
brakes (which is why, in certain conditions, the insides of the wheels appear completely
incandescent) and they weigh significantly less. Their braking power is thus uncommonly
high: at the end of a straight, at maximum speed (around 340 kph - 212.5 mph), a Formula
One car can brake at less than 100 metres in order to take a slow corner. Naturally,
carbon/carbon is expensive: it takes six months to produce a disc, at a temperature of
between 900 and 2000°C. The same material is now used to produce clutch discs.
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36. Is a special type of fuel used in Formula One?
No. Unleaded ("green") fuel is used, similar to that available at petrol
stations. It has to comply with the strictest EEC standards concerning pollution.
At one time, the fuel used in Formula One consisted of a mixture of hydrocarbons, and was
a very special fuel, which bore little resemblance to commercial petrol.
The FIA introduced regulations, with the dual aim of steering the oil companies' research
in the right direction, so that it would benefit the ordinary motor car, and of
significantly reducing pollution: Formula One cars are already using fuel that complies
with the specifications which will be mandatory in the European Union from the year 2000
(maximum sulphur content 150 parts per million); from 2000, Formula One cars will comply
with the specification to be introduced in 2005 (maximum sulphur content 50 parts per
million).
The fuel used by Formula One cars is in general not yet available from petrol pumps.
However, the oil companies are now using fuels which could be commercialised, and which
probably will be in the future. Thus Formula One serves as a laboratory, which will
ultimately be of benefit to the ordinary motor car (see also question 40).
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37. How many tyres are authorised per car at each grand prix?
The regulations stipulate that each driver may use a maximum of 32 dry-weather tyres (40
in 1998) and 28 wet-weather tyres throughout the duration of the event. Moreover, each
driver may use a maximum of two rubber specifications for his dry-weather tyres during
free practice, but he must designate the rubber specification he wishes to use for the
rest of the event before the start of qualifying practice. Thus, the maximum number of
tyres he may use for qualifying practice, the warm-up and the race is 28 (14 front and 14
rear), chosen from amongst the 32. All of these tyres are identified by means of an
FIA-supplied bar-code system by the scrutineers, who are also responsible for checking
that no driver exceeds the maximum number of tyres allowed.
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38. How is the type of rubber selected?
A hard or softer type of rubber is selected on the basis of the driver's style, the design
of the car, the atmospheric temperature and the lay-out of the circuit. In general, the
slower the circuit and the cooler the temperature, the softer the rubber, allowing greater
grip. On the other hand, high speeds, together with a highly abrasive track and a heavy
and powerful car wear the tyres down more quickly. The team and the driver must therefore
strike a balance between various options, i.e. whether to mount harder tyres which grip
less well but permit fewer pit-stops, or whether to use softer tyres which will have to be
changed several times during the race. A judicious choice sometimes enables one of the
less powerful cars to win a Grand Prix. Tyre changes have become a part of the Formula One
racing, and the better trained teams usually manage to change all four tyres and refuel in
the space of 5 to 10 seconds, depending on the quantity of fuel they want to put in the
tank.
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39. Are the cars checked during the event?
The day before practice begins, the Scrutineers carry out a tour of the garages, checking
that all the cars comply with the regulations. In addition to this, spot checks may be
carried out at any time, and all the cars which finish the race are checked in the parc
ferme once they have crossed the finish line. Any car which does not comply with the
technical regulations is normally excluded, however the final decision rests with the
Stewards.
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40. How are the fuel checks carried out ?
At the start of the season, each team entered in the Championship must provide a sample of
10 litres of the petrol it wishes to use. The sample is analysed in a specialised
laboratory, to check not only that it is in conformity with the Technical Regulations, but
also that it is a genuine commercial fuel (see also question 36).
If the sample is approved, an "imprint" (a sort of "genetic code" of
the fuel is provided. At the events, the FIA Technical Delegate carries out spot checks,
taking samples of petrol from the cars during the practice sessions or after the race.
Using gas chromatography and a device for measuring the density of the fuel), the samples
are analysed instantaneously, to see on site whether their "imprint" is
identical to the reference imprint approved by the FIA.
If a sample is not in conformity, the Technical Delegate will make a report to the
Stewards of the Meeting, who may impose a sanction.
A team may change the petrol it uses several times during the season, but it must have
submitted a sample to the FIA and receive approval in each case.
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41. How can prohibited electronic functions be detected?
On site, at each Grand Prix, the FIA has an electronic laboratory as well as sophisticated
equipment and a team of experts who, at any time (even on the starting grid!), may check
whether the cars' electronics are concealing electronic driving aids prohibited by the
regulations, such as traction control.
The electronics of a Formula One car comprise up to 500,000 lines of source code
(software). Obviously, it would be impossible to carry out an in-depth check of such an
electronic program, for example on the grid just before the start of the Grand Prix.
Therefore, the procedure is similar to that used for the petrol. The teams provide the FIA
with their electronic programme, and the FIA checks it in detail before the start of the
season. Once the programme is approved, the FIA keeps an "imprint" (an
electronic "genetic code" of the car); at the events, the FIA team assigned to
check the electronic programmes makes sure that the programmes installed in the cars do
not differ in any way from the approved model. If need be, they may examine in detail only
the lines which do not correspond to those of the approved code, and check whether or not
they contain one or more parameters in breach of the regulations.
Once again, if anything is not in conformity, the Technical Delegate makes a report to the
Stewards of the Meeting who will decide which penalty to impose, including exclusion.
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42. What role does the technical delegate play?
The FIA Technical Delegate heads the team of Scrutineers responsible for checking that the
cars comply with the Technical Regulations. If he finds that a car does not comply, he
submits a report to the Stewards, but does not have the power to disqualify or penalise a
car himself.
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43. Who are the stewards and what are their powers?
The three Stewards are the judges, or the referees, of an Event. They examine the reports
submitted by the various officials and, once they have heard the explanations and defence
of all the parties concerned, decide on any sanctions. In order to ensure sporting equity,
the Stewards vary from one event to another; two of them are nominated by the FIA from
amongst holders of the Stewards' super licence. The third Steward is designated by the
National Sporting Authority of the country in which the event is taking place. The
Stewards appointed by the FIA are of a different nationality from that of the country in
which the event is taking place.
They may, at any time, impose the sanctions set out in the International Sporting Code
and, if they judge the behaviour of a competitor or a driver to be reprehensible, they may
request that he be summoned before the World Motor Sport Council.
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44. What types of sanctions may be imposed?
The sanctions set out in the International Sporting Code range from a reprimand to
disqualification (a life ban), and include fines, exclusion, suspension for one or more
races, and even the withdrawal of Championship points.
For any faults committed during qualifying practice, whether they be of a sporting or
technical nature, the Stewards may also cancel all the driver's times. Nevertheless, the
Stewards have the power to authorise a driver who is penalised in this manner to take the
start from the back of the grid.
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45. What is a "time penalty"?
During the race, the Stewards may also impose a time penalty (sometimes called a
"stop-go") on a driver. In this case, the driver must go to at his pit and
remain there for 10 seconds. In reality, this penalty involves a far greater loss of time,
given the time taken to return to the pit and to leave it again, both at reduced speed.
Depending on the configuration of the circuit, this can result in a time loss of between
25 and 40 seconds.
If the time penalty is imposed during the last five laps of a race, 25 seconds will be
added to the race time of the driver concerned, instead of a stop-go.
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46. Are the stewards' decisions final?
No. Any competitor who feels that he has been unfairly penalised by a Stewards' decision
may appeal against this decision before the International Court of Appeal. He must declare
his intention to do so within one hour of being notified of the Stewards' decision.
Similarly, the FIA has the right to defer a decision of the Stewards to the International
Court of Appeal, if it believes that the Stewards have misjudged or inappropriately
penalised the matter. There have already been cases in which the Stewards or the Clerk of
the Course have been penalised by having their licences suspended, or in which
competitors' rights have been restored by the International Court of Appeal.
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47. What is the International court of appeal?
It is the final and highest recourse, and is, in a way, the Federation Internationale de
l'Automobile's very own "Supreme Court of Appeal". The International Court of
Appeal is independent of the Sport, and its fifteen members, who have a three-year
mandate, are chosen from amongst eminent judges and magistrates (some of whom are Supreme
Court of Appeal judges in their own country). In order for the International Court of
Appeal to be able to convene, at least three judges must be present, none of whom may be
of the same nationality as any of the parties concerned.
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48. What are the prerogatives of the Clerk of the Course and the
Race Director?
The Clerk of the Course, who is nominated by the National Sporting Authority from among
holders of a FIA Super Licence, is responsible for the co-ordination of all the officials
and track marshals at the Grand Prix. Nevertheless, the Clerk of the Course must work
closely with, and under the authority of, the Race Director, who is nominated by the FIA.
The same Race Director officiates at all the Grands Prix in the Championship.
The Race Director also acts, at present, as Safety Delegate and Official Starter. It is
normally the Clerk of the Course who waves the traditional chequered flag at the end of
the race.
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49. How is the race started?
Half an hour before the start, the cars leave the pit lane. The drivers may cover several
laps if they wish, but to do this they must pass through the pit lane at greatly reduced
speed. They come to a standstill on the starting grid with their engines stopped.
Fifteen minutes before the start, the pit lane exit is closed and any driver who is not
yet on the track has to start from the pit lane exit, after all the other competitors have
gone past.
Five minutes before the start, access to the grid is closed and any driver who is delayed
on the circuit has to start from the pit lane exit. His vacant position is not filled on
the grid.
When the green light comes, the drivers begin the formation lap. When they come back to
the grid, they keep their engines running.
Once all the cars have come to a halt in their starting positions, the starter activates
the automatic pre-programmed final start procedure: five lights turn red one after the
other at one second intervals until all five lights are lit. The start signal is the
extinction of all the lights at once. This occurs between 0.2 and 3 seconds after the last
red light has been lit. This lapse of time is pre-programmed by the starter at each race,
but kept secret.
If a driver is delayed during the formation lap and arrives within sight of the grid once
the starting procedure is underway, he must start from the pit lane.
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50. How are false starts detected?
Each position on the grid is equipped with electronic sensors. These transmit a signal to
a central unit located in the control tower if any car moves before the start signal has
been given. The Stewards will usually inflict a time penalty on a driver who jumps the
start.
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51. What happens if a driver stalls on the starting grid?
There are three distinct scenarios:
If a driver stalls whilst the green light is on (indicating the start of the formation
lap), his mechanics are allowed to push the car to get it to start, once all the
competitors have left the grid. Since overtaking is not permitted during the formation
lap, he must start from the back of the grid. However, a driver who has had difficulty
starting the car but who manages to leave before the last car has crossed the Start/Finish
line is allowed to overtake during the formation lap and take up his original position on
the grid.
If a driver stalls on the grid after the formation lap, but before the start, he must
raise his arm to notify the starter, who turns on the flashing yellow lights. The start is
aborted and the procedure begins again from the "5-minute" board. In order to
compensate for the additional formation lap, the race is reduced by one lap. The driver
responsible for the false start must start from the back of the grid.
If a driver stalls during the start (when all the lights are extinguished), and therefore
too late for the starting procedure to be interrupted and aborted, the marshals will push
his car to the pit lane once all the competitors have left the grid. If the driver is then
able to start his engine, he may rejoin the race. Otherwise, he is pushed back to his pit
where his mechanics will take over.
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52. What procedure is followed if more than one driver is unable to
start of the formation lap?
If more than one driver is stationary and unable to start the formation lap when the
remaining cars have crossed the Line (normally as a result of mechanical problems or a
stalled engine), they must all start from the back of the grid provided, of course, their
mechanics are able to rectify the problem in time.
These cars must form up at the back of the grid in the order they left to start their
formation lap. Back to Top
53. Are there special starting procedures in the event of rain?
In the event of rain, the regulations provide for different possibilities, depending on
the circumstances:
If the rain is such that, in the opinion of the Race Director, it would be dangerous to
start the race with the normal procedure, it is possible to start behind the Safety Car.
In this case, the revolving yellow lights on the Safety Car, which is positioned at the
front of the starting grid, are switched on no later than the one-minute signal. This
indicates to the drivers that the race will be started behind the Safety Car. When the
green light is switched on, the Safety Car leaves the grid followed by all the other cars.
The race starts immediately, and there is no formation lap. Overtaking is permitted only
after the Safety Car has returned into the pit lane (see question 55). Prior to this,
overtaking is only permitted in order to pass a car which remains on the grid, or in order
to retain a grid position provided the car overtaking left the grid before the last car
crossed the line.
If it starts to rain after the 5-minute signal but before the start of the race, the
procedure may be interrupted and recommence at the 15-minute point.
If the start of the race is imminent and a particularly heavy shower begins, and the
volume of water on the track is such that it cannot be negotiated safely, the procedure
may be interrupted by the Race Director, who will order a "10" board with a red
background to be shown. This indicates that the start has been aborted and that there will
be a delay of at least 10 minutes before the procedure is resumed.
If weather conditions have improved at the end of the ten-minute period, a "10"
board with a green background will be shown, indicating that the start of the formation
lap will be given 10 minutes later.
If however, the weather conditions have not improved within ten minutes, the
"10" board with the red background is shown again, indicating a further delay of
ten minutes. This procedure may be repeated several times, but it is not necessary to wait
for the end of the 10 minutes to show the green board.
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54. Is the race stopped in case of rain?
No, normally the race is not stopped if it starts to rain. It is up to the drivers and
teams to decide whether they want to stop at their pit to change tyres or continue with
the dry-weather tyres.
However, if the conditions are such that driving at racing speed would constitute a
serious danger to safety, the Race Director may order the use of the Safety Car (in which
case the normal Safety Car procedure would apply - see n°55 to 58). If the conditions are
so extreme that to carry on driving would be dangerous even behind the Safety Car, the
race could be stopped. Back to Top
55. Can the race be stopped?
Yes, the FIA Race Director may interrupt the race at any time in the interests of safety,
and particularly if the circuit is blocked. This is done by ordering red flags to be shown
around the entire the track.
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56. What procedures apply when the race is interrupted?
In the event of this happening, there are three possibilities, depending on the number of
laps completed by the race leader:
A. Less than two laps completed
B. Two or more laps completed, but less than 75% of the total distance of the race
C. 75% or more of the total race distance completed.
In case A, which is typical when accidents occur during the start, the first start is
considered null and void and the new start is given twenty minutes later.
In case B, the race is considered to be in two parts. Thus, if the safety conditions
permit, there is a second start twenty minutes later, for which the grid is determined on
the basis of the classification of the penultimate lap before the signal to stop the race
was given (red flag). If a second start cannot be given, the classification of the race
will be that of the penultimate lap preceding the signal to stop the race and only half
the points will be awarded.
In case C, the race will be considered as finished, and all the points will be awarded on
the basis of the classification of the penultimate lap preceding the signal to stop the
race.
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57. When is the safety car used?
The Safety Car may only be used when the track is not blocked. The purpose of the Safety
Car is to neutralise the race in the event of an accident or other incident which exposes
competitors or officials to immediate physical danger. It may also be used in the event of
a very heavy and sudden shower (see n°52).
The Safety Car slows the racing cars so that they do not endanger emergency teams working
on or near the track, and are not at risk from slow moving vehicles, such as ambulances.
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58. What procedure is followed for the safety car?
The Clerk of the Course (under the direction of the FIA Race Director) is responsible for
giving the order to dispatch the Safety Car. When the Safety Car is in use, and as soon as
it leaves the pit-lane, a yellow flag together with the "SC" board is shown at
all the track marshals' posts. Overtaking is prohibited, the cars must reduce their speed
and line up behind the Safety Car in the order they were on the track when the signal was
shown. As soon as circuit (or weather) conditions permit, the Safety Car will extinguish
its revolving lights and return to the pit lane to indicate that the race will start again
when the cars next cross the Line.
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59. Do the laps covered behind the safety car count?
Yes, all the laps covered behind the Safety Car count as part of the total distance of the
race. Back to Top
60. May a car stop at its pit whilst the safety car is on the track?
Yes, but it may only rejoin the track when the green light is on in the pit lane. It will
be on at all times except when the Safety Car and the line of cars following it are about
to pass or are passing the pit exit.
A car rejoining the track must proceed at reduced speed until it reaches the end of the
line of cars behind the Safety Car.
Thus, a car which makes a pit stop in such circumstances will lose its position and rejoin
the race at the back of the field, (but not necessarily in last place since there might be
cars in the field which are one or more laps behind the car which made the pit-stop).
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61. Is refuelling allowed during the race?
Yes, but it must be carried out with the refuelling equipment specified by the FIA. The
system is based on aviation equipment and complies with all the other safety requirements
laid down by the FIA.
Refuelling is not obligatory.
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62. Are there any speed limits?
Strange though it may seem, yes, but only in the pit lane, where the speed limit is either
80 or 120 kph (50 or 75 mph), depending on the circuit and the configuration of the pit
lane.
There are electronic devices checking the speed of the cars along the whole of the pit
lane; if a competitor exceeds the limit during the race, he is usually penalised with a
time penalty (see question 44), whereas if he exceeds it during a practice session, he is
usually given a fine ($ x km). However, as in everyday life, the severity of the
punishment is proportional to the seriousness of the offence, and also takes repeat
offences into account.
To avoid this, most of the constructors have equipped their cars with a speed limiter
which the driver has to activate (usually by pressing a button on the steering wheel) as
soon as he enters the pit lane. However, sometimes drivers forget to do so.
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63. In what conditions are the cars weighed?
The Scrutineers may weigh the cars at all times, to make sure that they never weigh less
than 600 kg, including driver. Electronic weighing devices are located at the entrance to
the pit lane to enable these checks to be carried out. During qualifying practice, an
electronic programme selects at random the cars which are to be checked. When a car is
chosen by the computer, a red light comes on and the driver returning to his pit must
proceed to the weighing area. If the weight of the car is insufficient, the driver could
be excluded from the event, but he has the right to request that the car be weighed a
second time. To avoid cheating, any car which breaks down on the circuit also has to pass
in front of the computer which decides whether the car must be weighed in the same
conditions. At the finish of the race, all the cars are directed to the parc ferme where
they are weighed; the drivers are also weighed before proceeding to the podium or to their
motorhome. If a car's weight does not comply at the finish, it maybe excluded from the
classification. This has happened in the past.
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64. What are the different signals which the officials may give to
the competitors?
In addition to the red flag, "stopping the race", and the chequered flag,
"end of the race", there are other flags, each having a specific meaning.
The blue flag during the race indicates that a driver is about to be lapped and it orders
him to let the other car overtake, on pain of a time penalty for obstruction.
The yellow flag indicates danger, and overtaking under yellow flag is always prohibited.
The yellow flag may have two meanings:
One waved = slow down
Double waved = slow down, prepare to stop if necessary
The green flag indicates the end of the danger and of the ban on overtaking.
The flag with vertical red and yellow stripes warns the competitors that the track is
slippery (usually oil), and a black flag with an orange disc accompanied by the number of
a car warns the driver that his car has a mechanical problem and that he must go to his
pit.
A flag with a white triangle and a black triangle accompanied by the number of a car is a
warning for unsporting behaviour.
The black flag, accompanied by the number of a car, summons the driver of such car to
immediately return to his pit. This procedure is mostly used to notify a competitor of his
exclusion from the race.
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65. Does the chequered flag always signal the finish?
Yes, even if the chequered flag is waved too early, the race still ends when this signal
is given. However, if the flag is waved too late the classification is that obtained at
the end of the scheduled number of laps. Only cars which have covered 90% of the distance
will be classified. A driver does not necessarily have to still be on the track to be
classified, but if a car takes more than twice as long as the fastest lap time achieved by
the winner to complete his last lap, this lap will not be taken into account.
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66. Is private testing on circuits authorised?
Private testing is forbidden:
On any circuit which appears on the Formula One World Championship calendar, except for
Monza, Barcelona, Silverstone and Magny Cours
On all circuits during the week preceding the event (except for a shakedown test of no
more than 50 km)
On any circuit which has not been approved for Formula One
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