First before I touch on the huge changes to F1, here they are straight up.

2009

Engine

Engine life to be doubled. Each driver will use a maximum of eight engines for the season plus four for testing (thus 20 per team).

Limit of 18,000 rpm.

No internal re-tuning. Adjustment to trumpets and injectors only.

The three-race rule voted on 5 November remains in force.

Cost of engines to independent teams will be approximately 50% of 2008 prices.

Unanimous agreement was reached on a list of proposed changes to the Renault engine for 2009; all other engines will remain unchanged. Comparative testing will not be necessary

Testing

No in-season testing except during race weekend during scheduled practice.

Aerodynamic research

No wind tunnel exceeding 60% scale and 50 metres/sec to be used after 1 January 2009.

A formula to balance wind tunnel-based research against CFD research, if agreed between the teams, will be proposed to the FIA.

Factory activity

Factory closures for six weeks per year, to accord with local laws.

Race weekend

Manpower to be reduced by means of a number of measures, including sharing information on tyres and fuel to eliminate the need for “spotters”.

Sporting spectacle

Market research is being conducted to gauge the public reaction to a number of new ideas, including possible changes to qualifying and a proposal for the substitution of medals for points for the drivers. Proposals will be submitted to the FIA when the results of the market research are known.

Note: It is estimated that these changes for 2009 will save the manufacturer teams approximately 30% of their budgets compared to 2008, while the savings for independent teams will be even greater.

2010

Power train

Engines will be available to the independent teams for less than €5 million per team per season. These will either come from an independent supplier or be supplied by the manufacturer teams backed by guarantees of continuity. If an independent supplier, the deal will be signed no later than 20 December 2008.

This same engine will continue to be used in 2011 and 2012 (thus no new engine for 2011).

Subject to confirmation of practicability, the same transmission will be used by all teams.

Chassis

A list of all elements of the chassis will be prepared and a decision taken in respect of each element as to whether or not it will remain a performance differentiator (competitive element).

Some elements which remain performance differentiators will be homologated for the season.

Some elements will remain performance differentiators, but use inexpensive materials.

Elements which are not performance differentiators will be prescriptive and be obtained or manufactured in the most economical possible way.

Race weekend

Standardised radio and telemetry systems.

Ban on tyre warmers.

Ban on mechanical purging of tyres.

Ban on refueling.

Possible reduction in race distance or duration (proposal to follow market research).

Factory activity

Further restrictions on aerodynamic research.

Ban on tyre force rigs (other than vertical force rigs).

Full analysis of factory facilities with a view to proposing further restrictions on facilities.

Longer term

The FIA and FOTA will study the possibility of an entirely new power train for 2013 based on energy efficiency (obtaining more work from less energy consumed). Rules to be framed so as to ensure that research and development of such a power train would make a real contribution to energy-efficient road transport.

An enhanced Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) system is likely to be a very significant element of an energy-efficient power train in the future. In the short term, KERS is part of the 2009 regulations, but is not compulsory. For 2010 FOTA is considering proposals for a standard KERS system. The FIA awaits proposals.

A number of further amendments were adopted for the 2009 and 2010 Sporting and Technical Regulations.

Mario Theissen

“The decisions reached are a reflection of the intensive efforts made by the various FOTA working groups in recent weeks,” Theissen told the official BMW Sauber website.

“The proposals for cost-cutting have also persuaded the FIA. That means we have now established a mutual basis for 2009, and in further stages for the following years, on which to carry out a restructuring of Formula One. The paramount aim in this will be to adapt to the economic environment.

“We will not, however, be neglecting the interests of the fans. Numerous suggestions are aimed at injecting the Formula One events with greater appeal. The approved measures will certainly require further fine-tuning, but with the spirit that has been shown over the last months, we will be able to resolve the details jointly as well,” he added.

There is no doubt that the very quick process and agreement on these changes is a very bright light in F1. Just the fact that the teams came together knowing what had to be done and got it done very quickly. There are many changes here and you almost have to read them twice to get the full picture of the changing face of F1.

One of the best ideas for fans is the idea of market research. Finally when different ideas come up, instead of blindly introducing them a little research will be done giving a little respect to those who watch the races. One idea up for this is whether to introduce the awarding of medals to winners, another is a proposal to shorted the race distance (I don’t like that idea), and the other is the ongoing issue of the qualifying format.

One big cost cutting measure is the elimination of in season testing completely accept for race weekends of course. In a way I’m not surprised they agreed to this and I won’t miss it, but how will the teams miss in season testing?

The one thing I’m most happy they managed to work around was ’standardized engines’. This was a big sticking point with me and I’m glad it isn’t happening at least for now.

We can’t forget however that these changes will mean the loss jobs and as always that is a tough pill to swallow, but once again reafirms that F1 is no different than any other business in the world.