FIA reveals more new rules for 2011

Team mechanics in 2011 will be barred from working all night on formula one cars before practice days.

The new rule emerged as, late on Monday, the FIA published the full sporting and technical regulations for next season.

The mechanics curfew will apply to team personnel “associated in any way with the operation of the cars” between midnight to 6am when practice is due to start at 10am, or 1am to 7am if practice is scheduled for 11am.

“However, each team will be permitted four individual exceptions to the above during a championship season,” the FIA said.

Another new rule for 2011 relates to driving standards, probably inspired by Michael Schumacher’s controversial move on Rubens Barrichello in Hungary this year.

“Manoeuvres liable to hinder other drivers, such as more than one change of direction to defend a position, deliberate crowding of a car beyond the edge of the track or any other abnormal change of direction, are not permitted,” said the FIA.

Stewards also have new powers to penalise drivers, including by imposing a one-race ban.

The one-gearbox-per-four-races rule has been toughened to five races in 2011, with one penalty-free gearbox change per driver allowed.

Meanwhile, the race director has been given the power to close the pit entry during races “for safety reasons”.

 © RIF | GMM