Tyres
After 10 years of racing on grooved tyres, 2009 sees a return to slicks, which many purists regard as the true racing tyre. This will increase grip by around 20 per cent.
Aerodynamics
Gone are all the aerodynamic add-ons like extra wings and the front and rear wings are altered dramatically. Front wings are lowered and made wider to equal the width of the car and now feature flaps that can be adjusted by the driver up to twice each lap. The rear wing is higher and narrower, reducing downforce.
Engines
To boost reliability, rev limits have been reduced from 19,000rpm to 18,000rpm, and each driver is now limited to just eight engines per season. With 17 rounds, this means that engines will need to last more than two races each, with drivers receiving a 10-place grid penalty if they exceed this.
Testing
Teams will no longer be allowed to test during the race season. This can affect teams that may want to introduce any new drivers.
Kinetic Energy Recovery System
This is technology found on some road cars, which teams now have the option of using. The system helps recover wasted kinetic energy generated by a car’s braking process. This energy is stored in an onboard battery and can be used by the driver to gain an extra 80hp or so, available for just under seven seconds per lap. The driver can use the power via a boost button on the steering wheel when overtaking. There are some downsides, though, such as the weight of the system – an important factor to consider. Teams will have to look at both the benefits and problems.
