OK - a lot of people do not bother to watch anymore - but - new driver pairings next year are going to make it interesting - kimi in a Ferrari, Lewis and Fernando in a Mclaren...
FRIDAY FORMAT CHANGES
Fan Friendly Fridays: Fans attending the Friday F1 practice sessions on Grand Prix weekends will see a lot more on-track action than in the past.
The two one-hour open practice sessions Fridays have been replaced by two 90-minute sessions.
Unlike the past two years, the rule that states that a driver must use the same engine for two complete Grand Prix weekends will not apply to Fridays. Since the drivers no longer must conserve their engines on Fridays, they will turn many more laps on the track.
In addition, the number of dry weather tyres allotted to a driver during an event has been increased from 28 to 40, and this also will add more track action on Fridays.
The teams may run two drivers in each of the Friday practice sessions, and they can be either the nominated race drivers or a reserve/test driver.
***TYRE CHANGES
Bridgestone stands alone: Following the withdrawal of Michelin, Bridgestone will supply all the teams with tires from 2007 through 2010.
To slow the cars for safety reasons, the tire compounds will be harder in 2007, and this should result in the cars initially being about two seconds per lap slower than last year.
Each team will be supplied with identical specifications and quantities of tires during the racing season. On a Grand Prix weekend, drivers will have a choice of “hard” and “soft” compound dry weather tires, and wet weather tires and extreme wet weather tires.
Having all the cars on the same tires will create a more level playing field, and this should lead to even closer competition on the track.
***ENGINE CHANGES
New engine rules: The engine specifications used by the teams in December 2006 will be frozen in 2007, with only a limited amount of modifications and updates permitted. Engines will be limited to a maximum of 19,000 rpm.
***TECHNICAL CHANGES
Technical changes: Each car will be fitted with a cockpit GPS system, which will use a series of colored lights to warn drivers of track conditions, such as a yellow light to indicate danger ahead. This also will allow race officials to know exactly where each car is on the track at all times.
The cars also will be fitted with a new accident severity indicator to indicate the impact forces of an accident to medical rescue crews.
***TESTING CHANGES
Less testing: The teams have unanimously agreed to adapt the 2008 testing restrictions in 2007. This limits each team to an annual limit of 30,000 km (18,640 miles). In the past, the big teams each have tested about 50,000 km (31,685 miles) per year.
