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Official
FIA Formula One FAQ
1.
Who organises the Formula One World Championship?
The sporting branch of the Fédération
Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA Sport. The FIA
governs motor sport worldwide 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
17 Grands Prix of the 1997 season attracted over 50
billion television viewers, while the printed press
maintained a significant presence, with an average
of 650 journalists and photographers traveling from
all over the world to cover each event.
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, or more specifically, until the creation of the
FIA Formula One World Championship at Silverstone
on 13 May 1950.
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 Fédération 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.
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.
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 3000 event.
6.
How is the World Championship title obtained?
There are two
titles: "drivers" and "constructors".
The drivers' title has been awarded since 1950, while
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.
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.
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.
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), save
for exceptional cases. |
(*) Thursday
for the Monaco Grand Prix
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 layout, width and length of a circuit,
as well as the surface, safety provisions and facilities.
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 Nürburgring
(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), while Spa is the longest (6.940 km).
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.
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.
Ferrari is currently the only constructor producing
both the chassis and the engine.
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 force majeure (but the FIA is very
strict when it comes to defining a case of force majeure).
A constructor may not join the championship during
the season.
15.
On what criteria are the Formula One technical regulations
based?
They address
two main concerns:
- Controlling
performance, in the interests of safety, while 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!).
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 License", 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.
17.
Are the teams allowed to change drivers 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 force
majeure, which are not counted. 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 18.00).
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, and 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.
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.
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.
21.
Can the drivers change cars during the event?
During the
practice sessions,
teams with two cars 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 signaling
the start of the formation lap.
Nevertheless, if the race is interrupted before
two laps have been completed, the starting procedure
is repeated, and car changes are authorised once again
until the green light (indicating the start of the
formation lap) is shown.
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 "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 7% or more is not
allowed to start without special permission of the
Stewards.
23.
How is the starting grid arranged?
The starting
grid consists of two cars per row in staggered formation,
with an interval of eight meters between each row
and the next.
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.
25.
How long does a grand prix last?
The distance
of a Grand Prix may not exceed 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.
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 Clerk of the Course 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.
27.
How powerful are formula one engines?
Even though
the constructors refuse to divulge details of their
engine power, it is rumored that at the beginning
of the 1997 season the maximum power easily exceeded
seven hundred horse power. Manufacturers of engines
with eight or ten cylinders maintain that maximum
power is not the only valid criteria, since there
is also the power curve which in their case is better
at a low engine speed.
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 (151.634 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 1997, the
fastest Grand Prix was the Italian, won by David Coulthard
at an average of 238.036 kph (147.940 mph). The highest
speed recorded during practice in 1997 was 250.295
kph (155.559 mph), which was set at Monza by Jean
Alesi, while the highest straight line speed recorded
during a Grand Prix in the 1997 season was set by
Jacques Villeneuve, at 351.7 kph (218.6 mph), during
the German Grand Prix. The lowest average speed of
a Grand Prix winner in 1997 was 104.264 kph (64.800
mph), and was recorded by Michael Schumacher in the
Monaco Grand Prix.
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 1,200 horsepower in qualifying!
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.
31.
Why do the regulations require the cars to have a flat
bottom?
It became evident
that significant lift 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 front of the
rear wheels 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 behavior
of the airfoils 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.
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.
33.
Do Formula One cars have automatic gearboxes?
Automatic gearboxes
are prohibited by the technical regulations. However,
all the cars are equipped with semi-automatic 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.
34.
How many gear ratios do Formula One cars have?
The rapid changes
possible with semi-automatic 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,
on pain of immediate exclusion from the Grand Prix.
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 callipers 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 meters 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.
36.
Is a special type of fuel used in Formula One?
No. "Green",
unleaded fuel is used, similar to that available at
petrol stations. The petrol used in Formula One also
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 no resemblance to commercial petrol.
The FIA put an end to these permissive 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.
It is clear that even after this revision of the regulations,
the fuel used by Formula One cars is still not yet
available from petrol pumps. However, it is also clear
that the oil companies are obliged by the regulations
to use fuels which could be commercialized, and which
probably will be in the future. It is therefore evident
that Formula One continues to serve as a laboratory,
which will ultimately be of benefit to the ordinary
motor car (see also question 40).
37.
How many tyres are authorised per car at each Grand
Prix?
The regulations
stipulate that each driver may use a maximum of 40
dry-weather tyres 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 40. All of these tyres are marked by the scrutineers,
who are also responsible for checking that no driver
exceeds the maximum number of tyres allowed.
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 layout 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 are
a part of the Formula One landscape; the better trained
teams usually manage to change all four tyres and
refuel in the space of 5 to 10 seconds.
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 fermé
once they have crossed the finish line. Any car which
does not comply with the technical regulations is
penalized with exclusion. This penalty is declared
by the Stewards.
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 120 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 fuel of the type "available from the
pump".
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 the principles of gas chromatography
with extremely sophisticated and very accurate technological
equipment (a gas chromatograph and a machine 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 then pronounce the exclusion of the car in
question or any other sanction provided for in the
Regulations.
Of course, a team may change the petrol it uses several
times during the season, but each time it wishes to
do so it must submit a new sample to the FIA before
using this new petrol. If this sample is approved,
the reference "imprint" of this new petrol
will be registered.
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 is 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 to exclude the car
or to impose any other sanction provided for in the
Regulations.
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.
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 defense
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
license". 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 behavior of a competitor or a driver to be reprehensible,
they may request that he be summoned before the World
Motor Sport Council.
44.
What types of sanctions may be imposed?
The sanctions
set out in the International Sporting Code range from
a reprimand to disqualification, and include fines,
exclusion, suspension for one or more races, and even
the withdrawal of Championship points.
During the race, the Stewards may also impose a time
penalty on a driver. In this case, the driver must
remain at his pit for the duration of his penalty.
In reality, this penalty, which is usually 10 seconds,
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.
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.
45.
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 licenses suspended,
or in which competitors' rights have been restored
by the International Court of Appeal.
46.
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 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.
47.
What are the prerogatives of the Clerk of the Course
and the Race Director?
The Clerk of
the Course, who is nominated by the organiser, is
materially responsible for the coordination of all
the officials and track marshals at the Grand Prix.
It is he who gives the order to send out the safety
car, for example, or to stop the race or practice
session. 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, while it is the Clerk of the Course
who waves the traditional chequered flag at the end
of the race.
48.
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 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 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.
49.
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.
50.
What happens if a driver stalls on the starting grid?
There are three
distinct scenarios:
- If a driver
stalls while 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.
51.
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
in front of the starting grid, are switched on at
the 5-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 when the leading car having completed
one lap crosses the Start/Finish line. Overtaking
is permitted only after the Safety Car has returned
into the pit lane (see 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 Start/Finish 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.
52.
Can the race be stopped?
Yes, the Clerk
of the Course (under the direction of 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 along the whole of the track.
53.
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.
54.
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.
This is not only to allow ambulances and other emergency
teams to be able to get through, but also because
the presence of these vehicles on the track would
constitute a major risk for the other competitors
if the race had not been neutralised. However, the
Safety Car may only be used when the track is not
blocked.
55.
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 the track
marshals' posts. Overtaking is prohibited, and the
cars must reduce their speed and line up, in classification
order, behind the Safety Car. 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 Start/Finish line.
56.
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.
57.
May a car stop at its pit while 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 will 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.
58.
Is refueling allowed during the race?
Yes, but it
must be carried out with the refueling equipment supplied
by the FIA. The system is based on aviation equipment
and complies with all the other safety requirements
laid down by the FIA.
Refueling is not obligatory.
59.
Are there any speed limits?
Strange though
it may seem, yes, but only in the pit lane, where
the speed limit is between 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 offense, and also takes repeat
offenses 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...
60.
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 is excluded for the
rest of 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 fermé 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 is excluded from the
classification. Such an instance has already occurred.
61.
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 indicates "a competitor
is about to overtake you", but if the flag is
waved, it orders him to let the other car overtake,
on pain of a time penalty for obstruction. This order
is only given to a car which is one or more laps behind
the overtaker. The yellow flag indicates danger,
and overtaking under yellow flag is always prohibited.
Also the yellow flag may have two meanings, depending
if it is stationary ("drive well within your
limits") or waved ("slow down").
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.
62.
Does the chequered flag always signal the finish?
Yes, even if
the Clerk of the Course waves his flag too early,
the race still ends when he gives this signal. However,
if he waves it 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.
63.
Is private testing on circuits authorised?
If an event
is due to be held on a new circuit, free practice
may take place on the Thursday before the event.
Otherwise, 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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