29/09/2012
NEWS STORY
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Mat Coch writes:
The FIA has released the 2013 Sporting and Technical regulations, most of which are a carried over from the current rules.
Pitpass has examined the rules as a whole, and found a number of small modifications to the current rule set. With strong regulation changes expected for 2014 there are comparatively few differences, those that have been made clearly aimed at reducing costs, stifling dead-end development or preparing the sport for 2014.
Front Nose Fairing
Regulation changes ahead of the 2012 season saw driver protection increased at the expense of aesthetics. It saw teams opt for a stepped approach to the nose, resulting in some of the least loved cars in modern memory. For 2013 teams will be permitted to fit a fairing to their cars to help improve the design.
Article 3.7.9 - With the exception of an option, single piece,, non-structural fairing of prescribed laminate which may not be more than 625mm above the reference plane at any point, no bodywork situation more than 1950mm forward of rear face of the cockpit entry template may be more than 550mm above the reference plane.
However, as the fairing is optional, and likely to add weight comparatively high up, it remains to be seen how many teams opt to run the accessory. It seems likely that teams will run the fairing if it provides aerodynamic gain, otherwisw expect to see more stepped noses next season.
'Double' DRS
Much of 2012's early season talk centred on Mercedes 'double' DRS. The German marque developed a unique system which channelled air from its rear wing end-plate through the car and on to the front wing. It stalled the airflow over the wing, resulting in less drag and therefore top speed.
Usually covered, when drivers operated the DRS switch it revealed a hole in the rear wing end-plate. It meant the system is immensely powerful during practice and qualifying but of limited value during the race. It was initially protested by Lotus which lost the appeal before testing its own solution at the German Grand Prix.
Article 3.18.1 The incidence of the rearmost and uppermost closed section described in Article 3.10.2 may be varied while the car is in motion provided:
It comprises only one component that must be symmetrically arranged about the car centre line with a minimum width of 708mm.
With the exception of minimal parts solely associated with the adjustment of the section, no parts of the section in contact with the external airstream may be located any more than 355mm from of (sic) the car centre line.
With the exception of any minimal parts solely associated with adjustment of the rearmost and uppermost section, two closed sections are used in the area described in Article 3.10.2.
Any such variation of incidence maintains compliance with all of the bodywork regulations.
IT cannot be used to change the geometry of any duct, either directly or indirectly, other than the change to the distance between adjacent sections permitted by Article 3.10.2.
When viewed from the side of the car at any longitudinal vertical cross section, the physical point of rotation of the rearmost and uppermost closed section must be fixed and located no more than 20mm below the upper extremity and no more than 20mm forward of the rear extremity of the area described in Article 3.10.2 at all times.
The design is such that failure of the system will result in the uppermost closed section returning to the normal high incidence position.
Any alteration of the incidence of the uppermost closed section may only be commanded by direct driver input and controlled using the control electronics specified in Article 8.2.
Given the system is part of the fundamental design of Mercedes car it makes for an expensive development path and one which would have been negated by all rival teams for 2013. As such the FIA has effectively closed off the development cul-de-sac.
2014 Spec Electronic Control Unit
Although regulations for 2014 continue to be debated, the FIA and teams have agreed to implement a new Electronic Control Unit (ECU) for 2013 with a view towards the following season.
While the current ECU is perfectly capable of performing all tasks asked of it for 2013 it was decided that, with V6 engines on the horizon, there was no harm in introducing a future-proofed system for 2013. The current ECU would have to be replaced for 2014, assuming the sport does still move to 1.6L V6 turbo-charged engines, and recent comments by Bernie Ecclestone suggest otherwise.
Article 8.2.1 All components of the engine, gearbox, clutch, difference and KERS in additional to all associated actuators must be controlled y an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) which has been manufactured by an FIA designated supplier to a specification determined by the FIA.
The ECU may only be used with FIA approved software and may only be connected to the control system wiring loom, sensors and actuators in a manner specified by the FIA.
The change will make no difference to the performance of the cars and seems to have been done simply to give teams one less headache as they implement significantly new regulations in twelve months' time.
Increase in Trackside Personnel
Currently capped at 47 staff, but with a number of exceptions, teams have agreed among themselves to allow more staff at the track. However, from 2013 the teams' gentleman's agreement has been written in to the rules, allowing teams to take 60 staff to the circuit.
Article 27.6 (Sporting Regulations) No competitor may have more than 60 operational staff at an Event with access to the Reserved Areas from the start of initial scrutineering until two hours after the start of the race. However, during the period starting 45 minutes before the start of the first formation lap until 15 minutes after the start of the race the number of operational staff is unlimited. For the avoidance of about staff who duties are solely connected with hospitality, team motorhomes, sponsors, marketing, public relations, security or driving trucks to or from the Event are not considered operational staff. Similarly, one medical doctor, any reserve driver or team President, Chairman or Managing Director will not be included in the above figure.
In addition, each Competitor will be allowed ten single race staff for the Championship season that will not be counted within the operational staff limit.
A list of all operational, exempt and single race staff must be submitted to the FIA prior to each Event.