The FIA replies to the 70 most Frequently Asked Questions about the Formula One World Championship.
1. What is Formula One?
It is a set of technical regulations for single-seater racing cars, which is published
annually by the FIA. The regulations specify maximum and minimum dimensions, engine capacity,
what is permitted technically and what is not permitted and, perhaps most important of all, a
large number of safety measures to be incorporated in the car with a view to protecting the
driver. A car built to these regulations is a Formula One car. Formula 3 and Formula 3000 are
also FIA Formulae, but each has lower performance than Formula One.
Top of Page
2. How are these regulations made?
The FIA has a Formula One Technical Working Group on which the technical director of each
team sits. This makes recommendations to the FIA Formula One Commission on which the teams,
race promoters, engine manufacturers, sponsors, tyre manufacturers and, of course, the FIA
are represented. Decisions of the Formula One Commission then go to the FIA World Motor Sport
Council and ultimately the FIA General Assembly for approval.
Top of Page
3. What is the current Formula One?
In addition to a large number of regulations governing chassis design, the current formula
restricts the cylinder capacity of the engine to 3 litres, prohibits supercharging and
stipulates a minimum total weight of 600 kg, including the weight of the driver and his race
equipment.
Top of Page
4. On what criteria are the Formula One technical regulations based?
They address two main concerns:
- controlling speed, in the interests of safety, whilst at the same time preserving the
technological excellence of Formula One;
- Safety in the event of an accident.
This is why there are 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.
Moreover, there are stipulations relating to the strength of the chassis, the protective
rollbars, leak-resistant fuel tanks, fire extinguishers, harnesses, as well as head and neck
protection. The positions of the fuel and oil tanks are specified and they must have special
protection. Cockpit dimensions are also regulated.
All engines must be reciprocating four strokes with ten cylinders, none of which may be
oval. It is obligatory for each car to have four wheels, only two of which are steered or driven.
Top of Page
5. Who organises the Formula One World Championship?
The FIA is the world governing body of motor sport and, as such, administers the Formula One
World Championship, as well as all other international motor sport. The Formula One World
Championship was created in 1950 and is the oldest of the FIA Championships. It also has the
greatest media impact. It is estimated that the seventeen Grands Prix of the 2000 season
attracted over 53 billion television viewers, whilst the printed press maintained a significant
presence, with an average of 650 journalists and photographers from 65 countries travelling
from all over the world to cover each Event.
Top of Page
6. How far back does Formula One go?
There was no "formula" in the early era of the motor car from 1894 (the year of the first
motor race in history, from Paris to Rouen) to 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 that 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. From 1907 to
1939, almost every possible formula was tried. Minimum weight, maximum weight, consumption and
bore were each restricted in 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" in 1904 by the FIA (which restricted
maximum weight), categories were created for the smaller cars, but the name "Formula One"
did not appear until 1948. The first Formula One race was at Pau on 29 March 1948 and was won
by a Maserati. The FIA Formula One World Championship was created in 1950, and the first Formula
One World Championship race was the British Grand Prix, at Silverstone on 13 May 1950.
Top of Page
7. What Is The Federation Internationale De L'automobile (FIA) and why was it created?
The FIA was created in 1904. One of its first tasks was to formulate restrictions to improve
the safety of racing 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.
Prior to 1904, it was virtually impossible to organise international races, since there were
no common regulations. The most influential automobile clubs of the time therefore decided to
create an international organisation, which would draw up common regulations, applicable to
all international races. This led to the birth of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
(the FIA), which was thus able to guarantee competitors that the same rules would apply wherever
they were racing.
Top of Page
8. What is a Grand Prix?
The first race to be given the title "Grand Prix" was 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 major circuit races for cars. Top
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 was 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.
Top of Page
9. How is the World Champion title awarded?
There are two titles, one for the Drivers’ World Championship and one for the Constructors’
Championship. The drivers' title has been awarded since 1950, and the constructors' since 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.
In the event of two drivers having the same number of points, 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.
Top of Page
10. 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. Until 1959 the driver who recorded the fastest lap was given 1 point.
Top of Page
11. how many Grands Prix are held every year?
The 1950 Championship consisted of only 7 Grands Prix. This figure gradually increased,
peaking at 17 in 1977. It was then limited to 16, but the possibility of holding a maximum
of 17 events was reintroduced in 1996.
A minimum of eight events must take place for the World Champion Drivers' and Constructors'
titles to be awarded. More than 600 Formula One World Championship races have been held since
1950.
Top of Page
12. Is the Grand Prix timetable always the same?
Yes, except the actual race which is usually but not invariably at 14.00 local time. Otherwise
the schedule is always:
- 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
(*) Thursday for the Monaco Grand Prix
Top of Page
13. Can any circuit host a Grand Prix?
No. Originally, a Grand Prix could be held anywhere, but 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. Only FIA Grade 1 circuits can now
host a Formula One race.
Top of Page
14. what is a Grade 1 Circuit?
Each circuit must be homologated by the FIA following a series of inspections. The
homologation criteria are less strict for circuits hosting events for slower formulae which
hold Grades from 2 to 5. 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 Formula One event
to take place within a town itself, circuits tended to be very fast with long straights.
Increases in the car performance have meant that these straights have had to give way to
series of bends, in order to prevent excessive speeds. Similarly, very long tracks, like the
old Nürburgring (22.835 km), 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 were too great. Monaco is now the shortest circuit (3.370 km),
whilst Spa is the longest (6.968 km).
Top of Page
15. What is meant by the "constructor" of a Formula One car?
A Formula One constructor is the chassis manufacturer. This is often not the same as the
engine manufacturer. In the event of winning the Constructors' World Championship, the title
is awarded to the chassis manufacturer.
Top of Page
16. What criteria must a car constructor meet to be able to participate?
A constructor who wishes to enter the Formula One World Championship must submit his entry
to the FIA, and provide evidence that he both designs and makes the chassis of his car and that
he has sufficient technical and financial resources to take part in the Championship. The number
of constructors’ teams is now limited to 12, each with 2 cars.
Top of Page
17. Does each constructor have to compete throughout the season?
Yes. Any constructor who fails to turn up at an event may be fined several hundred thousand
dollars. A constructor may not join the championship during the season.
Top of Page
18. Can any driver compete in a Grand Prix?
No. 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.
Top of Page
19. Are the teams allowed to change driver during the season?
Yes, each team 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 16:00 on the Thursday (Wednesday for
Monaco). After that deadline, a driver change may only take place with the consent of the
stewards.
Top of Page
20. Do the drivers keep the same race number throughout the season?
Yes, provided they stay with the same team, as the numbers are attributed to the
constructors, not the drivers. The only exception is the reigning World Champion, who is always
allocated number 1 (even if he changes team), and his teammate who is given number 2.
Top of Page
21. Is the number of laps during the practice sessions free?
For qualifying practice only, a maximum of 12 laps is allowed and any driver running over
the maximum of 12 laps will have all his qualifying times cancelled. However, at the discretion
of the Stewards, he may be allowed to start the race from the back of the grid.
Top of Page
22. How do drivers qualify for a race?
Qualifying practice is on Saturday, from 1 pm to 2 pm. In order to qualify, a driver must
set a time within 107% of the fastest time.
Top of Page
23. 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 begins four and
a half hours before the start of the race.
The warm-up enables the teams to test the cars in their race configuration.
Top of Page
24. Can the drivers change cars during the event?
Each two-car team may use a maximum of two cars during 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).
However, no change of car is permitted once the green light signalling the start of the
formation lap which precedes the actual race start has been shown.
Nevertheless, if the race has to be stopped before two laps have been completed by the
leader, the starting procedure is repeated and starts again from the T-15 point (see 60 below).
Once again car changes are permitted until the green light is shown.
Top of Page
25. 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. The driver who set the fastest time will start from the front
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.
Top of Page
26. Do the constructors design special cars for the qualifying session?
Special cars as such are not built for qualifying, but special engines, special set-ups and
significant modifications are made for qualifying practice.
Top of Page
27. How long does a Grand Prix last?
The distance of a Grand Prix is the least number of laps which exceeds 305 km, but 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.
Top of Page
28. Does a Grand Prix always start, rain or shine?
Yes, a Formula One Grand Prix takes place in all weather conditions, and the tyre
manufacturers have developed special treaded tyres, which help to avoid the risk of
aquaplaning. Nevertheless, the Race Director has the power to stop the race, 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 help counteract this problem, the cars are equipped with a red light at the rear
which must be illuminated at all times when the car is running on wet-weather tyres.
Top of Page
29. How powerful are Formula One engines?
Even though the constructors never divulge exact details of their engine power, the maximum
is known to exceed eight hundred horsepower in some cases. Manufacturers of engines claim that
maximum power is not always the most important factor. Having power available at lower
engine speeds is often of equal importance, especially in slow corners.
Top of Page
30. 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 km/h (150.754 mph) on the Monza circuit
which at the time did not have any chicanes (interestingly, a recent computer simulation
suggested that current Formula One cars would achieve an average speed of well over 300 km/h -
190 mph - on the original circuit). In 2000, the fastest Grand Prix was the German, won by
Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari) at an average of 215.340 km/h (133.806 mph). The highest straight
line speed recorded during a Grand Prix in the 2000 season was set by David Coulthard (McLaren-Mercedes),
at 361.8 km/h (221.1 mph), during the Italian Grand Prix.
Top of Page
31. 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 horsepower in
qualifying.
Top of Page
32. Can a Formula One car race without suspension?
No. The regulations stipulate genuine suspension. For example, the fitting of rubber 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.
Top of Page
33. Why do the regulations require the cars to have flat lower surfaces?
It became evident that significant downforce could be achieved by fitting inverted aeroplane
wings underneath the car. 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. 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 sustaining
lateral accelerations of up to 5G, whereas a good road car achieves about 1G.
Top of Page
34. Are Formula One cars fitted with a starter?
A starter has not been obligatory for several years, teams normally choose not to fit one in
order to save weight . They are permitted to use a portable starter in front of their pits and
on the starting grid, 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.
However, all cars are fitted with sophisticated electronically controlled anti-stall systems.
Top of Page
35. Do Formula One cars have automatic gearboxes?
Yes, in some cases as they are allowed from the 2001 Spanish Grand Prix.
Top of Page
36. How many gear ratios do Formula One cars have?
The rapid changes possible with semi-automatic gearboxes mean that most transmissions are
fitted with seven gears, the maximum permitted by the Technical Regulations. A reverse gear is
also compulsory but may not be used in the pit-lane.
Top of Page
37. 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 callipers made from light alloy
while the discs and pads tend to be made from synthetic materials, e.g. 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 very high: at the end of a straight, at maximum
speed (around 340 km/h - 212.5 mph), a Formula One car can brake at less than 100 metres in
order to take a slow corner.
Top of Page
38. Is a special type of fuel used in Formula One?
No. Unleaded very low sulphur ("green") fuel is used. It already complies with the EEC
standards which will come into force in 2005 for everyday use.
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. 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 42).
Top of Page
39. How many tyres are permitted per car at each Grand Prix?
The regulations stipulate that each driver may use a maximum of 40 dry-weather tyres (12 of
which may not be used after the first day of practice) 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 then choose the rubber specification
he wishes to use for the rest of the event before the start of qualifying practice. Every single
tyre used at a Grand Prix incorporates an FIA-supplied bar-code so that the scrutineers can
check that no driver exceeds the maximum number of tyres allowed.
Top of Page
40. 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 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 may 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 slower 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.
Top of Page
41. 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 are carried out
and all the cars, which finish the race, are checked in the parc fermé 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.
Top of Page
42. 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 each petrol it wishes to use. Each sample is analysed by a specialised laboratory,
to check that it is in conformity with the Technical Regulations and is a genuine commercial
fuel (see also question 38).
If the sample is approved, a so-called "fingerprint" of the fuel is taken by the FIA. 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 fingerprint is identical to the reference fingerprint previously approved by the FIA.
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.
Top of Page
43. Are such things as abs brakes, stability control or four wheel steering allowed in Formula One?
No, as a general rule driving aids of this kind are prohibited.
Top of Page
44. But these are commonplace on road cars?
Yes, but Formula One is a contest between drivers. Although the cars are built to the
extremes of technology, it is felt the drivers should exploit them with minimal aid from
on-board computers. Otherwise much of the skill of the drivers would become unnecessary and
the sport would lose its human aspect.
Top of Page
45. How can the FIA check? 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
a car's electronics conceal electronic driving aids prohibited by the regulations. The
electronics of a modern 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 version. 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. The FIA team also installs an electronic lock in each
team’s electronic boxes to prevent an unauthorised programme being loaded and back this up with
a physical seal to prevent anyone opening the box during the event.
Once again, if anything is not in conformity, the Technical Delegate makes a report to the
Stewards of the Meeting who can impose a penalty, including exclusion.
Top of Page
46. What role does the technical delegate play?
The FIA Technical Delegate is the "policeman" and 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.
Top of Page
47. 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 takes place.
The Stewards appointed by the FIA are of a different nationality from the country of the
event. They may impose the sanctions set out in the International Sporting Code and, if they
deem it necessary, they may request that a team or driver be summoned before the World Motor
Sport Council.
Top of Page
48. 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 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 start from the back of the grid.
Top of Page
49. 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 the duration
of the penalty, usually 10 seconds. In reality, this penalty involves a far greater loss of
time, because of the time taken to return to the pit and to leave it again. Depending on the
circuit, this can result in a total time loss of up to 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.
Top of Page
50. Are the stewards' decisions final?
Time penalties are, of course, final, but otherwise, a competitor who feels that he has been
unfairly penalised by a Stewards' decision may appeal against this decision before the FIA
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 refer a decision of the
Stewards to the International Court of Appeal, if it believes that the Stewards have misjudged
or inappropriately penalised the matter.
Top of Page
51. What is the International Court of Appeal?
It is the final and highest recourse, and is, in a way, the Fédération Internationale de
l'Automobile's very own "Supreme Court”. The International Court of Appeal is independent of
the Sport, and its fifteen members, who have a three-year mandate, are elected by the FIA
General Assembly of 123 countries from amongst eminent judges and lawyers (some of whom are
Supreme Court 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.
Top of Page
52. What are the duties 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 an 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 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.
Top of Page
53. How is the race started?
- Half an hour before the start of the formation lap, the cars may leave the pit lane. The
drivers may cover more than one lap 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 at the start of the race.
- 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.
- One minute before the start, engines are started.
- Fifteen seconds before the start, all mechanics must have left the grid.
- When the green lights come on, 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
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 cannot reach the grid and stop before
the last light is illuminated, he must start from the pit lane.
Any car which is temporarily delayed during the formation lap can regain its position
provided it does so before the "pole position" car has taken up its position on the grid
(see question 55 below).
Top of Page
54. 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.
Top of Page
55. What happens if a driver stalls on the starting grid?
There are three distinct scenarios:
- If a driver stalls whilst the green lights are on (indicating the start of the formation
lap), his mechanics are allowed to push the car to start it as soon as all the competitors
have left the grid. He is not permitted to overtake during the formation lap and must start
from the back of the grid. However, a driver who has difficulty starting his 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 race has started
(i.e. before all the lights are extinguished), 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 then start from the back of the grid.
- If a driver stalls after the race has started, so that it is too late for the starting
procedure to be interrupted, 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.
Top of Page
56. 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) in the order they left to start their formation lap.
Top of Page
57. 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 lights are
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 62). 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 recommenced 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.
Top of Page
58. 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.
Top of Page
59. What procedures apply when the race is stopped?
In the event of this happening, there are three possibilities, depending on the number of
laps completed by the race leader:
- Less than two laps completed
- Two or more laps completed, but less than 75% of the total distance of the race
- 75% or more of the total race distance completed.
In case A, typically when a major accident occurs 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. Provided the safety conditions permit, there is a second
start twenty minutes later, with the grid determined by the classification of the penultimate
lap before the signal to stop the race (red flag) was given. 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.
Top of Page
60. 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, the Race Director may order the use of the Safety Car (in which case the
normal Safety Car procedure would apply - see 57 above and 62 to 64 below). If the conditions
are so extreme that to carry on driving would be dangerous even behind the Safety Car, the
race would be stopped.
Top of Page
61. When is the Safety Car used?
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 57 above). 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.
Top of Page
62. What is the Safety Car procedure?
The Clerk of the Course (under the direction of the FIA Race Director) dispatches the
Safety Car. When the Safety Car is in use, and as soon as it leaves the pit lane, a waved
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. Once the cars are lined up behind the
Safety Car in race order and as soon as circuit (or weather) conditions permit, it 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.
Top of Page
63. 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.
Top of Page
64. 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. It may not overtake.
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).
Top of Page
65. 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.
Top of Page
66. Are there any speed limits?
Strange though it may seem, yes, but only in the pit lane, where the speed limit is 60 km/h
(37.5 mph) during practice and 80 km/h (50 mph) during the race (except Monaco - 60 km/h at
all times).
Electronic devices check 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 49 above); during practice, he is usually fined US$250 for each km/h over the limit.
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, all the teams have equipped their cars with speed limiters which the driver
activates (usually by pressing a button on the steering wheel) as soon as he enters the pit lane.
Top of Page
67. In what conditions are the cars weighed?
The Scrutineers may weigh the cars at any time, to make sure that they never weigh less
than 600 kg, including driver. A weighing device is located at the entrance to the pit lane
to enable these checks to be carried out. During qualifying practice, a computer programme
selects at random the cars which are to be checked. When a car is chosen, 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 less than the minimum required by the Technical Regulations, 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
end of the race, all the cars are directed to the parc fermé where they are weighed; the
drivers are also weighed before proceeding to the podium or to their motorhome. An
under-weight car will usually be excluded from the classification.
Top of Page
68. What are the flag signals?
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 tells a driver he is about to be lapped and to let the other
car overtake, on pain of a time penalty for obstruction.
The yellow flag indicates danger, and overtaking is prohibited. One waved yellow flag means
slow down; two waved at the same post means slow down and prepare to stop if necessary.
The green flag indicates the end of the danger and the ban on overtaking.
A 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.
Top of Page
69. 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 to complete its last lap as the fastest lap time achieved by
the winner, this lap will not be taken into account.
Top of Page
70. Is private testing on circuits permitted?
Private testing is currently forbidden:
- on any circuit which appears on the Formula One World Championship calendar, except for
Monza, Barcelona, Silverstone and Magny Cours.
- during the period between the last event and the end of December.
- during a two week period in August.
- on all circuits during the week preceding and the day after an event (except for a
shakedown test of no more than 50 km).
- on any circuit which has not been approved for Formula One testing by the FIA.
Top of Page
