Regulations Changed for Barcelona

The changes are that the first race will now have only one mandatory pitstop with a compulsory change of at least two tyres, and the two points for fastest lap in either race can only be earned by a driver who runs for at least ninety percent of the race.

The sporting regulations have been modified with immediate effect, and will be used in this weekend's races at Barcelona.

The opening race in Imola had two compulsory stops without tyre changes, which created confusion for those watching the race as it was unclear how many stops any of the drivers had made and, consequently, who was actually leading the race.

Series organisers hope that with one longer stop the various strategies will be easier to follow for the viewers at home. To this end they will also be looking at the on screen graphics to clarify the different pitstop strategies.

The regulation involving fastest lap has come into being after criticism following the Imola races, where the two men who claimed fastest lap in the two races - Ernesto Viso and Nicolas Lapierre - ran a small number of laps with the sole objective of claiming the two points on offer while well out of contention for a top eight finish.

It was felt that these points should go to a driver who had competed in the bulk of the race, and the move is seen as a closing of a loophole in the regulations.

The new rule could mean that drivers just outside of the points may make an extra stop for four fresh tyres to gain the two points on offer, effectively adding another race within the race for the spectators to follow as the action draws to a close.

The new regulations were given to the twelve teams before the announcement, and were generally seen as a step in the right direction.