bout time.......
Massive Rule Changes Planned for 2001
London, England, Dec. 20 Plans to slash the aerodynamic downforce
generated by F1 cars in a bid to produce better racing are part of a package
of major technical changes proposed for the 2001 season.
Smaller and higher-mounted front wings, a total ban on rear aerodynamic
under-car diffusers and sidepods extending forward to the rear of the front
wheels are just part of a wide-ranging technical revamp debated by the F1
technical working group this week.
In place of diffusers, a return to wing-profiled sidepods originally
banned in favor of flat bottoms as long ago as 1983 will be introduced and
the cars will revert to a wider track. The plan is to make cars more
progressively controllable and reduce their aerodynamic sensitivity in an
attempt to encourage closer racing and more overtaking.
It was also proposed that the rules be amended to require a large, square
cross-sectional front end to the chassis which would offer much enhanced
protection for the drivers' legs.
It also remains to be seen what possible changes to the tire regulations
will be invoked. Many teams would like to see a measure of stability applied
to the current tire regulations, even though FIA president Max Mosley has
expressed the view that he would like to introduce an all-weather F1 tire in
the future. Alan Henry
check out www.racer.com for the full story
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