WMSC approves rule changes

The FIA published the draft calendar after a meeting of its World Motor Sport Council in Rome.

The session also confirmed changes agreed earlier in the week, including a new three-part qualifying system and a return to tyre changes during races.

For 2008, there will be a single tyre supplier, with cars using slick tyres and larger wheels. There were no surprises in the calendar, which follows this year's 19 races.

Bahrain will start the season on March 12, with Malaysia following a week later on March 19 and then Australia on April 2.

The Australian Grand Prix has been the season-opener since 1996 but has been pushed back to avoid a clash with the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
 

The World Motor Sport Council statement.

The World Motor Sport Council met in Rome on October 26, 2005. The following decisions were taken:

Approved the following regulations for the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Tyres

Each driver will be permitted to use seven sets of dry-weather tyres for each event. All tyres used for qualifying and race must be of the same specification. Tyre changes will be permitted at any time during the race.

Qualifying format

All cars are permitted on the track. At the end of the first 15-minute period the slowest five cars can take no further part in qualifying. These cars will make up the last five grid positions in the order of their times, the fastest occupying 16th position.

The times for the fifteen remaining cars are reset for the next session. At the end of the second 15-minute period the slowest five cars can take no further part in qualifying. These cars will make up the grid in positions eleven to fifteen in the order of their times, the fastest occupying 11th position.

The times for the ten remaining cars will be reset for the next session. For the final period, lasting 20 minutes, the cars will be arranged on the grid in positions one to ten in the order of their times, the fastest occupying pole position

Cars will be under parc ferme conditions from the time they enter the track for the first time during qualifying until the start of the race. Changing tyres and adding fuel will no longer be part of the parc ferme regulations

Fuel may be added to cars at any time during the first 40 minutes of qualifying and any car eliminated during the first two periods may then be refuelled at any time until the pit lane opens for the race. Teams will be required to fill cars taking part in the final 20-minute period with the amount of fuel with which they intend to start the race. Any fuel used during the 20-minute period may be replaced before the start of the race.

If 22 cars are eligible to take part in the Event, six cars will drop out after each of the fifteen minute periods leaving ten for the final 20 minutes. If twenty four cars are eligible to take part in the Event, six cars will drop out after each of the fifteen minute periods leaving twelve for the final 20 minutes.

A package of measures were approved for the 2008 Championship. These include the introduction of a Centreline Downwash Generating wing, larger wheels with slick tyres and a single tyre supplier. The package will be brought forward to 2007 if an 80% majority of the Formula One Technical Working Group agree to do so before the end of December 2005.