FIA abandons plans for wider cars, slicks

After agreement among the teams, and ratification by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, a number of changes to the 2008 F1 Technical Regulations have been made to go back on ideas originally proposed to improve the racing.

The overall width of the car is being reduced from the scheduled 2000mm to 1800mm, which is its current level. There had been an initial hope that a wider car would increase mechanical grip and therefore reduce the reliance on aerodynamics.

The FIA has also confirmed that, despite plans to change the minimum weight of the cars to 550kg from next year, the rules will remain unchanged and cars will still have to weigh 605kg.

Although there had been earlier suggestions that F1 would move to wider, slick tyres in 2008 because there was a single supplier of rubber, the FIA has now agreed to continue with the current grooved tyres.

There have also been a slight softening of the FIA's engine homologation plans, with teams now being allowed to modify certain parts of the power units from next year.

These include the clutch, trumpet tray, hydraulic pumps, injection systems, alternators, fuel pumps, oil pumps, water pumps, exhaust systems, electronic sensors, electrical looms and spark plugs.