New rules ditch penalties, expand calendar

The rules were approved by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council on Wednesday and, although there are a great deal of similarities to the current regulations, there are also some major changes.

As well as the much talked about engine freeze for three years, there is now the possibility for the F1 calendar to expand to 20 races, which suggests that the sport may well expand beyond last year's record-breaking 19 events.

And following the huge amount of confusion caused by the 10-place penalties handed down on cars in Malaysia last weekend for engine changes, the FIA has announced an alternative punishment.

Should an engine (or gearbox) change take place before the stipulated number of races has been completed, then cars must carry a 15 kilogram penalty.

The FIA has also confirmed that the $48 million deposit for new teams has been dropped, and that testing will be restricted to 30,000 kilometres during a calendar year.

The parc ferme regulations are also being expanded with cars needing to be put under the FIA's remit every night of the race meeting, rather than just the Saturday as happens presently.

A single tyre supplier will be chosen for the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons, with tyre blankets being outlawed. Also banned are spare cars.

Car manufacturers will also not be allowed to supply engines for more than two teams without the consent of the FIA.