Rules galore!

The rules for Formula 1 from 2008 onwards have been decided and approved by the World Motorsport Council.

Here's the crux of the story: (my comment in red)

• Teams would have to 'submit' engine designs for the 2008 season before June 1 2006. No further changes to the engine can be made after this date, without approval from the FIA.

Nice, what if the Ronster or Mario get stuck with an unreliable engine? I'd like to see Ron's face when
he discovers that his engine is defunct, and he knows how to repair it but he actually isn't allowed to.

• Not only can't teams change their engines every race, but now gear-boxes cannot be changed too. A gear box would have to survive four races straight.

Some way to do cost cutting. I wonder how many dollars it costs to put a gear-box together.

• Change of engine/gearbox would invite penalty, although not in the form of grid penalty but in the form of a 15kg weight penalty.

Some solace, atleast the stupid grid penalty rule is being removed.

• A single tyre supplier will be chosen for the three season 2008,2009 and 2010. They would supply standard material to all teams - two dry weather , one wet and one extreme weather compounds.

Michelin leaves F1 this year. Max doesn't have a choice, rather.

• Teams cannot test for more than 30000 km a year.

Ferrari could lease out their Fiorano/Mugello tracks to host F1 parties then.

• Parc Ferme conditions would start on friday evening, at 18:30. Currently, parc ferme starts after qualifying is over.

No last minute changes, eh!

• Major engine manufacturers cannot supply engines to more than two teams without approval from the FIA.

Not only their development, but their earnings are restricted as well.

• To join the series, teams would have to pay just 300 thousand euros. Currently the fee is a staggering $ 48 million USD.

Dummy. I don't think anybody would be interested in F1 anymore.

Verdict: F1 is one step closer to becoming a factory-manufactured sports car event.