1. What is Formula One?

It is a set of technical regulations for single seater racing cars which is published annually by the FIA. The regulations specify maximum and minimum dimensions, engine capacity, what is permitted technically and what is not permitted and, perhaps most important of all, a large number of safety measures to be incorporated in the car with a view to protecting the driver. A car built to these regulations is a Formula One car. Formula Two (not currently in use), Formula Three and Formula 3000 are also FIA specifications, but each has lower performance than Formula One.

2. How are these regulations made?

The FIA has a Formula One technical working group on which the technical director of each team sits. This makes recommendations to the FIA Formula One Commission on which the teams, race promoters, engine manufacturers, sponsors, tyre manufacturers and, of course, the FIA are represented. Decisions of the Formula One Commission then go to the FIA World Motor Sport Council and ultimately the FIA General Assembly for approval.

3. What is the current Formula One?

In addition to a large number of specifications relating to chassis dimensions and aerodynamics, the current formula restricts the cylinder capacity of the engine to 3 litres, prohibits supercharging and stipulates a minimum weight of 600 kg, including the weight of the driver and his race equipment.

4. On what criteria are the Formula One Technical regulations based?

They address two main concerns:

This is why there are restrictions on cylinder capacity, fuel, tyre dimensions, the minimum weight and width of the car, as well as on the dimensions and positioning of the aerodynamic devices and on electronic driving aids, most of which are prohibited.

Moreover, there are stipulations relating not only to the strength of the chassis and the protective rollbars, but also to flexible fuel tanks (inspired by military aviation), fire extinguishers, harnesses, head and neck protection, and so on. The positions of the fuel and oil tanks are specified and they must have special protection. Cockpit dimensions are also controlled.

All engines must be reciprocating four stroke with ten cylinders none of which may be oval. It is obligatory for each car to have four wheels, only two of which are driven.

5. Who organises the Formula One World Championship?

The FIA is the world governing body of motor sport and, as such, administers the Formula One World Championships, as well as all other international motor sport. The Formula One World Championship was created in 1950 and is the oldest of the FIA Championships. It also has the greatest media impact. It is estimated that the sixteen Grands Prix of the 1999 season attracted over 57 billion television viewers, whilst the printed press maintained a significant presence, with an average of 650 journalists and photographers from 65 countries travelling from all over the world to cover each Event.

6. How far back does Formula One go?

There was no "formula" in the heroic era of the motor car from 1894 (the year of the first motor race in history, from Paris to Rouen) to 1900. The existing vehicles were simply raced. A differentiation was made between the cars on the basis of their method of propulsion (petrol or steam), and their number of seats. At the time, cars always had at least two seats, and it was not until the end of the 1920s that single-seater cars were used. The invention of the rear-view mirror made an important contribution to this development, since one of the mechanic's tasks was to warn the driver that someone was trying to overtake him. From 1907 to 1939, almost every possible formula was tried. Minimum weight, maximum weight, consumption and bore were each restricted in their turn, but the formula most frequently used, even after 1939, was to limit the cylinder capacity of the engines. This restriction was first introduced in 1914.

Following the introduction of the first "formula" defined by the FIA (which restricted maximum weight) in 1904, categories were created for the smaller cars, yet the name "Formula One" did not appear until after the Second World War. The FIA Formula One World Championship was created in 1950, and the first Formula One race counting for the FIA Formula One World Championship was the British Grand Prix, at Silverstone on 13 May 1950.

7.What is the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and why was it created?

The FIA was created in 1904 as a forum in which countries running motor sport events could agree rules to apply internationally. One of its first tasks was to formulate restrictions to improve the safety of the drivers and spectators, and to guide motor sport in a direction which would benefit the development of road cars, thus setting a pattern which has been repeated throughout the long history of motor sport.

Prior to 1904, every country and automobile club organised races, each with its own set of regulations. It was thus virtually impossible to organise international races, since there were no common regulations. The most influential automobile clubs of the time therefore decided to create an international organisation which would draw up common regulations, applicable to all international races. This led to the birth of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (the FIA), which was thus able to guarantee to English or German drivers, for example, that the same rules would apply whether they were racing in France, Italy, Belgium, or Monaco.

8. What is a Grand Prix?

The first race to be given the title "Grand Prix" was the Grand Prix de l'Automobile Club de France held at Le Mans in 1906. It was restricted to "big cars", which could be described as the "Formula One" cars of the period. From then on, the term Grand Prix became associated with major circuit races for cars. Top events, which were the equivalent of today's Grands Prix, were called "Grandes Epreuves" (Great Events). However, the FIA was opposed to the popular usage of the "Grand Prix" title, which it wished to reserve for events counting towards its Formula One World Championship. Henceforth, it was prohibited to use the Grand Prix title for an Event which did not count towards this Championship, except for very rare cases with historic justification, such as the Grand Prix de Pau, which is currently a Formula Three event.

9. How is the World Champion title awarded?

There are two titles: "drivers" and "constructors". The drivers' title has been awarded since 1950, and the constructors' since 1958. The constructors add together the points scored in every race by each car of their make (they cannot enter more than two), in the same way as the drivers accumulate the total number of points scored in each Event (at one time they could cancel their worst results).

In the event of a dead heat, the title is decided on the basis of the quality of the places obtained, that is, the number of first places, followed by the number of second places, etc.

10. What is the scale of points?

The scale of points awarded to the first six finishers in each race has been modified on two occasions, the most recent of which was in 1991; the first now obtains 10 points (previously nine, and only eight between 1950 and 1960), and the following five are awarded: 6 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 points. Until 1959 the driver who recorded the fastest lap was given 1 point.

11. How many Grands Prix are held every year?

When the World Championship was created, Formula One was not as popular as it is today, and the 1950 Championship, for example, consisted of only 7 Grands Prix. This figure gradually increased, peaking at 17 Events in 1977. It was then limited to 16, and the possibility of holding a maximum of 17 Events was reintroduced in 1996.

A minimum of eight Events out of those entered on the calendar must take place for the World Champion Drivers' and Constructors' titles to be awarded. More than 600 Grands Prix counting towards the FIA Formula One World Championship have been held since 1950.

12. Is the Grand prix timetable always the same?

Yes, as follows:

(*) Thursday for the Monaco Grand Prix

13. Can any circuit host a Grand Prix?

Originally, a Grand Prix could be held anywhere, but the increases in car performance have forced the FIA to impose stringent conditions on the lay-out, width and length of a circuit, as well as the surface, safety provisions and facilities.

14. How is a circuit deemed suitable to hold a Grand Prix?

Each circuit must be homologated by the FIA following a series of inspections which are carried out from the start of the work right up until the inauguration of the circuit. The homologation criteria are less strict for circuits hosting events for slower formulae. In addition to the initial procedure, the circuits sometimes have to carry out maintenance work or update their facilities so that their homologation may be renewed. In the past, with the exception of the Monaco Grand Prix, which is the only Formula One event to take place within a town itself, circuits tended to be very fast with long straights. The increase in the car performance has meant that these straights have had to give way to series of bends, in order to prevent excessive speeds. Similarly, very long tracks, like that at the old Nürburgring (22.835 km), have had to be abandoned, since the costs involved in providing the safety facilities and personnel required by the regulations together with the technical facilities necessary for television broadcasting are too great. Monaco is still the shortest circuit (3.370 km), whilst Spa is the longest (6.968 km).

15. What is meant by the “constructor” of a Formula One car?

By Formula One constructor, we mean the chassis manufacturer. In most cases, this is not the same as the engine manufacturer, and the name of the chassis manufacturer is always given before that of the engine manufacturer. In the event of winning the Constructors' World Championship, the title is awarded to the chassis manufacturer.

16. What criteria must a car constructor meet to be able to participate?

A constructor who wishes to become involved in Formula One must submit his entry to the FIA, to which he must provide evidence that he is both the designer and constructor of the chassis of his car, and that he also has sufficient technical and financial resources to take part in the whole of the Championship. The number of constructors' teams is now limited to 12, each with 2 cars.

17. Does each constructors have to compete throughout the season?

Yes. Any constructor who fails to turn up at an Event may be fined several hundred thousand dollars, except in exceptional circumstances (but the FIA is very strict when it comes to defining such a case). A constructor may not join the championship during the season.

18. Can any driver compete in a Grand Prix?

No. In order to be able to take part in a Grand Prix, a driver must hold a "Super Licence", which is awarded on the basis of his past record in junior formulae and of his having a valid contract with a Formula One team which has entered the World Championship.

19. Are the teams allowed to change driver during the season?

Yes, each team may change the driver of its first car once in the season. For the second car, a maximum of three drivers may take turns, without restriction, during any one season. This excludes cases of exceptional circumstances, which are considered separately. Notification of a change of driver must be made before 16:00 on the Thursday (Wednesday for Monaco). After that deadline, a driver change may only take place with the consent of the stewards.

20. Do the drivers keep the same race number throughout the season?

Yes, if they stay with the same team, as the numbers are attributed to the constructors, not the drivers, at the beginning of the season. The only exceptions to this are the reigning World Champion, who is always allocated number 1 even if he is driving for a different team from that with which he won the title, and his team mate who is given number 2.

21. Is the number of laps during the practice sessions free?

For qualifying practice, a maximum of 12 laps is allowed and any driver running over the maximum of 12 laps will have all his qualifying times cancelled. However, at the discretion of the Stewards, he may be allowed to start the race from the back of the grid. The number of laps is no longer limited for the free practice sessions, including the warm-up.

22. How do drivers qualify for a race?

Qualifying practice is on Saturday, from 1 pm to 2 pm. In order to qualify, a driver must set a time within 107% of the fastest time.

23. What is the warm-up?

The warm-up is a free practice session which takes place on the morning of the race and lasts for half an hour. Only drivers who have qualified may take part in it. It begins four and a half hours before the start of the race. If all the practice sessions have taken place in dry conditions and it starts to rain after the warm-up, or vice-versa, the Race Director may authorise an additional 15-minute practice session, which will allow the cars to adapt to the weather conditions.

The warm-up is very important, since it enables the teams to test the cars in their race configuration.

24. Can the drivers change cars during the Event?

During the practice sessions, each two-car team may use a maximum of two cars for each day of free practice, and a maximum of three cars for qualifying practice, provided that all the cars have been checked by the Scrutineers and are of the same make (chassis and engine).

During the race, however, no change of car is permitted following the green light signalling the start of the formation lap which precedes the actual race start.

Nevertheless, if the race has to be stopped before two laps have been completed by the leader, the starting procedure is repeated and starts again from the T-15 point (see 60 below). Car changes are permitted once again until the green light.

25. How is the starting grid arranged?

The starting grid consists of two cars per row in staggered formation, with an interval of eight metres between each row and the next. The driver who set the fastest time will start from the first line in the so-called "pole position", and the others will line up on the grid in the order of the times they have achieved. In the event of a tie, the driver who achieved the time first is given priority.

26. Do the constructors design special cars for the qualifying session?

Special cars as such are not built for qualifying, but special engines, special set-ups and significant modifications are made for qualifying practice.

27. How long does a Grand Prix last?

The distance of a Grand Prix is the least number of laps which exceeds 305 km, and no race may last for more than two hours. On certain slower circuits (such as Monaco), in the event of rain, the Clerk of the Course is sometimes obliged to stop the race after two hours.

28. Does a Grand Prix always start, rain or shine?

Yes, a Formula One Grand Prix takes place in all weather conditions, and the tyre manufacturers have developed special treaded tyres which help to avoid the risk of aquaplaning. Nevertheless, the Race Director has the power to stop the event, if this becomes necessary for safety reasons. Apart from grip, the greatest problem in the event of rain is visibility, which is significantly reduced due to the spray thrown up by the cars' tyres. In order to help counteract this problem, the cars are equipped with a red light at the rear which must be illuminated at all times when the car is running on wet-weather tyres.

29. How powerful are Formula One engines?

Even though the constructors never divulge details of their engine power, it is rumoured that the maximum power may in some cases, exceed eight hundred. Manufacturers of engines claim that maximum power is not always the most important factor. Having power available at lower engine speeds is often of equal importance, especially in slow corners.

30. What speeds do Formula One cars reach?

The Grand Prix with the highest average speed in history was the 1971 Italian Grand Prix, won by Peter Gethin in a BRM at an average speed of 242.615 kph (150.754 mph) on the Monza circuit which at the time did not have any chicanes (interestingly, a recent computer simulation suggested that current Formula One cars would achieve an average speed of well over 300 kph - 190 mph - on the original circuit). In 1999, the fastest Grand Prix was the Italian, won by Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Jordan Mugen Honda) at an average of 237.938 kph (147.848 mph). The highest speed recorded during practice in 1999 was 251.989 kph (156.579 mph), which was set at Monza by Mikka Hakkinen (McLaren Mercedes), whilst the highest straight line speed recorded during a Grand Prix in the 1999 season was set by David Coulthard (McLaren Mercedes), at 361.8 kph (221.1 mph), during the Italian Grand Prix. The lowest average speed of a Grand Prix winner in 1999 was 143.864 kph (89.393 mph), and was recorded by Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) in the Monaco Grand Prix.

31. Are the cars currently used faster than the cars of the "turbo" era?

If a 1.5-litre turbocharged car were produced today, as was the case up until 1988, it would be a great deal faster than the contemporary 3-litre cars. However, contemporary cars benefit from significant technological progress, allowing them to exceed the speeds of the 1988 turbocharged models, despite the fact that these were able to rely on over 1200 horse power in qualifying.

32. Can a Formula One car race without suspension like a kart?

No. The regulations stipulate genuine suspension. For example, the fitting of rubber blocks is not sufficient. However, the current cars have very little suspension travel, in order to restrict changes in trim which would influence the effectiveness of the aerodynamic devices.

33. Why do the regulations require the cars to have a flat bottom?

It became evident that significant downforce could be achieved by fitting inverted aeroplane wings underneath the car. In order to reduce downforce (the so-called "ground effect"), and thus reduce cornering speed, the FIA made it obligatory for each car to have a flat bottom between the rear wheel centre line and the rear of the front wheels. The constructors have nevertheless managed to optimise the behaviour of the aerofoils and aerodynamic extractors situated behind the gear box, to such an extent that a current Formula One car is capable of sustaining lateral accelerations of up to 5G, whereas a good road car achieves about 1G.

34. Are Formula One cars fitted with a starter?

A starter has not been obligatory for several years, and teams choose not to fit one in order to reduce the danger of fire or explosion. They are permitted to use a portable starter in front of their pits and on the starting grid, but if a driver stalls on the circuit during the race, he has to retire, even if the car restarts once the marshals have pushed it away from a dangerous position. However, all cars are fitted with sophisticated electronically controlled anti-stall systems.

35. Do Formula One cars have automatic gearboxes?

Automatic gearboxes are prohibited by the technical regulations. However, all the cars are equipped with semi-automatic gearboxes: to change gear, the driver no longer has to modulate the clutch or throttle pedals at the same time as the gear lever. He simply presses a button on the side of his steering wheel. There is a button on each side: one for changing up, the other for changing down. He therefore no longer has to take his hand off the steering wheel, and this hydraulic device, which is electronically activated, allows the driver to change gear in one or two hundredths of a second, which is unquestionably faster than with a conventional system.

36. How many gear ratios do Formula One cars have?

The rapid changes possible with semi-automatic gearboxes mean that most transmissions are fitted with seven gears, the maximum permitted by the Technical Regulations. A reverse gear is also compulsory but must not be used in the pit-lane.

37. Do Formula One cars have better brakes than series produced cars?

The brakes on series-produced cars are derived from the disc brakes which were first used in racing. All Formula One cars are equipped with brakes with callipers made from light alloy while the discs and pads tend to be made from synthetic materials, e.g. carbon/carbon. Their resistance to heat is much greater than that of series-produced brakes (which is why, in certain conditions, the insides of the wheels appear completely incandescent) and they weigh significantly less. Their braking power is thus uncommonly high: at the end of a straight, at maximum speed (around 340 kph - 212.5 mph), a Formula One car can brake at less than 100 metres in order to take a slow corner.

38. Is a special type of fuel used in Formula One?

No. Unleaded ("green") fuel is used, similar to that available at petrol stations. It already has to comply with the EEC standards which will come into force in 2005.

At one time, the fuel used in Formula One consisted of a mixture of hydrocarbons, and was a very special fuel, which bore little resemblance to commercial petrol.

The FIA introduced regulations, with the dual aim of steering the oil companies' research in the right direction, so that it would benefit the ordinary motor car, and of significantly reducing pollution. The fuel used by Formula One cars is in general not yet available from petrol pumps. However, the oil companies are now using fuels which could be commercialised, and which probably will be in the future. Thus Formula One serves as a laboratory, which will ultimately be of benefit to the ordinary motor car (see also question 40).

39. How many tyres are permitted per car at each grand prix?

The regulations stipulate that each driver may use a maximum of 32 dry-weather tyres (40 in 1998) and 28 wet-weather tyres throughout the duration of the event. Moreover, each driver may use a maximum of two rubber specifications for his dry-weather tyres during free practice, but he must then choose the rubber specification he wishes to use for the rest of the Event before the start of qualifying practice. The maximum number of tyres he may use for qualifying practice, the warm-up and the race is 28 (14 front and 14 rear), chosen from amongst the 32. Every single tyre used at a Grand Prix incorporates an FIA-supplied bar-code so that the scrutineers can check that no driver exceeds the maximum number of tyres allowed.

40. How is the type of rubber selected?

A hard or softer type of rubber is selected on the basis of the driver's style, the design of the car, the atmospheric temperature and the lay-out of the circuit. In general, the slower the circuit and the cooler the temperature, the softer the rubber, allowing greater grip. On the other hand, high speeds, together with a highly abrasive track wear the tyres down more quickly. The team and the driver must therefore strike a balance between various options, i.e. whether to mount harder tyres which may grip less well but permit fewer pit-stops, or whether to use softer tyres which will have to be changed several times during the race. A judicious choice sometimes enables one of the slower cars to win a Grand Prix. Tyre changes have become a part of the Formula One racing, and the better trained teams usually manage to change all four tyres and refuel in the space of 5 to 10 seconds, depending on the quantity of fuel they want to put in the tank.

41. Are the cars checked during the event?

The day before practice begins, the scrutineers carry out a tour of the garages, checking that all the cars comply with the regulations. In addition to this, spot checks are carried out and all the cars which finish the race are checked in the parc fermé once they have crossed the finish line. Any car which does not comply with the technical regulations is normally excluded. However the final decision rests with the Stewards.

42. How are the fuel checks carried out?

At the start of the season, each team entered in the Championship must provide a sample of 10 litres of each petrol it wishes to use. Each sample is analysed in a specialised laboratory, to check not only that it is in conformity with the Technical Regulations, but also that it is a genuine commercial fuel (see also question 36).

If the sample is approved, a so-called "fingerprint" of the fuel is taken by the FIA. At the events, the FIA Technical Delegate carries out spot checks, taking samples of petrol from the cars during the practice sessions or after the race. Using gas chromatography and a device for measuring the density of the fuel), the samples are analysed instantaneously, to see on site whether their fingerprint is identical to the reference fingerprint previously approved by the FIA.

A team may change the petrol it uses several times during the season, but it must have submitted a sample to the FIA and receive approval in each case.

43. Are such things as ABS brakes and traction control allowed in Formula One?

No, as a general rule drivers' aids of this kind are prohibited.

44. But these are commonplace on road cars?

Yes, but Formula One is a contest between drivers. Although the cars are built to the extremes of technology, it is felt the drivers should exploit them without the aid of on-board computers. Otherwise much of the skill of the drivers would be unnecessary and the sport would increasingly lose its human aspect.

45. How can the FIA check? How can prohibited electronic functions be detected?

On site, at each Grand Prix, the FIA has an electronic laboratory as well as sophisticated equipment and a team of experts who, at any time (even on the starting grid), may check whether a car's electronics conceal electronic driving aids prohibited by the regulations.

The electronics of a modern Formula One car comprise up to 500,000 lines of source code (software). Obviously, it would be impossible to carry out an in-depth check of such an electronic program, for example on the grid just before the start of the Grand Prix. Therefore, the procedure is similar to that used for the petrol. The teams provide the FIA with their electronic programme, and the FIA checks it in detail before the start of the season. Once the programme is approved, the FIA keeps an "imprint" (an electronic "genetic code" of the car); at the events, the FIA team assigned to check the electronic programmes makes sure that the programmes installed in the cars do not differ in any way from the approved model. If need be, they may examine in detail only the lines which do not correspond to those of the approved code, and check whether or not they contain one or more parameters in breach of the regulations. The FIA team also installs an electronic lock in each teams' electronic boxes to prevent an unauthorised programme being loaded and back this up with a physical seal to prevent anyone opening the box during the event.

Once again, if anything is not in conformity, the Technical Delegate makes a report to the Stewards of the Meeting who can impose a penalty, including exclusion.

46. What role does the technical delegate play?

The FIA Technical Delegate is the "policeman" and heads the team of scrutineers responsible for checking that the cars comply with the Technical Regulations. If he finds that a car does not comply, he submits a report to the Stewards, but does not have the power to disqualify or penalise a car himself.

47. Who are the stewards and what are their powers?

The three Stewards are the judges, or the referees, of an Event. They examine the reports submitted by the various officials and, once they have heard the explanations and defence of all the parties concerned, decide on any sanctions. In order to ensure sporting equity, the Stewards vary from one event to another; two of them are nominated by the FIA from amongst holders of the Stewards' super licence. The third Steward is designated by the National Sporting Authority of the country in which the Event takes place. The Stewards appointed by the FIA are of a different nationality from the country of the Event.

They may, impose the sanctions set out in the International Sporting Code and, if they deem it necessary, they may request that a team or driver be summoned before the World Motor Sport Council.

48. What types of sanctions may be imposed?

The sanctions set out in the International Sporting Code range from a reprimand to disqualification (a life ban), and include fines, exclusion, suspension for one or more races, and even the withdrawal of Championship points.

For any faults committed during qualifying practice, whether of a sporting or technical nature, the Stewards may also cancel all the driver's times. Nevertheless, the Stewards have the power to authorise a driver who is penalised in this manner to start from the back of the grid.

49. What is a "time penalty"?

During the race, the Stewards may also impose a time penalty (sometimes called a "stop-go") on a driver. In this case, the driver must go to at his pit and remain there for the duration of the penalty, usually 10 seconds. In reality, this penalty involves a far greater loss of time, because of the time taken to return to the pit and to leave it again. Depending on the circuit, this can result in a total time loss of up to 40 seconds.

If the time penalty is imposed during the last five laps of a race, 25 seconds will be added to the race time of the driver concerned, instead of a stop-go.

50. Are the stewards' decisions final?

Time penalties are, of course, final but otherwise, a competitor who feels that he has been unfairly penalised by a Stewards' decision may appeal against this decision before the FIA International Court of Appeal. He must declare his intention to do so within one hour of being notified of the Stewards' decision. Similarly, the FIA has the right to refer a decision of the Stewards to the International Court of Appeal, if it believes that the Stewards have misjudged or inappropriately penalised the matter. There have been cases in which the Stewards or the Clerk of the Course have been penalised by having their licences suspended, or in which competitors' rights have been restored by the International Court of Appeal.

51. What is the International court of appeal?

It is the final and highest recourse, and is, in a way, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's very own "Supreme Court”. The International Court of Appeal is independent of the Sport, and its fifteen members, who have a three-year mandate, are elected by the FIA General Assembly of 123 countries from amongst eminent judges and lawyers (some of whom are Supreme Court judges in their own country). In order for the International Court of Appeal to be able to convene, at least three judges must be present, none of whom may be of the same nationality as any of the parties concerned.

52. What are the duties of the Clerk of the Course and the Race Director?

The Clerk of the Course, who is nominated by the National Sporting Authority from among holders of a FIA Super Licence, is responsible for the co-ordination of all the officials and track marshals at the Grand Prix. Nevertheless, the Clerk of the Course must work closely with, and under the authority of, the Race Director, who is nominated by the FIA. The same Race Director officiates at all the Grands Prix in the Championship.

The Race Director also acts as Safety Delegate and Official Starter. It is normally the Clerk of the Course who waves the traditional chequered flag at the end of the race.

53. How is the race started?

• Half an hour before the start of the formation lap, the cars may leave the pit lane. The drivers may cover more than one lap if they wish, but to do this they must pass through the pit lane at greatly reduced speed. They come to a standstill on the starting grid with their engines stopped.

• Fifteen minutes before the start, the pit lane exit is closed and any driver who is not yet on the track has to start from the pit lane exit, after all the other competitors have gone past at the start of the race.

• Five minutes before the start, access to the grid is closed and any driver who is delayed on the circuit has to start from the pit lane exit. His vacant position is not filled on the grid.

• One minute before the start, engines are started.

• Fifteen seconds before the start, all mechanics must have left the grid.

• When the green light comes on, the drivers begin the formation lap. When they come back to the grid, they keep their engines running.

• Once all the cars have come to a halt in their starting positions, the starter activates the automatic pre-programmed final start procedure: five lights turn red one after the other at one second intervals until all five lights are lit. The start signal is the extinction of all the lights at once. This occurs between 0.2 and 3 seconds after the last red light has been lit. This lapse of time is pre-programmed by the starter at each race, but kept secret.

If a driver is delayed during the formation lap and cannot reach the grid and stop before the last light is illuminated, he must start from the pit lane.

Any car who is temporarily delayed during the formation lap can regain its position proving that it does so before the "pole position" car has taken up its position on the grid (see 55 below).

54. How are false starts detected?

Each position on the grid is equipped with electronic sensors. These transmit a signal to a central unit located in the control tower if any car moves before the start signal has been given. The Stewards will usually inflict a time penalty on a driver who jumps the start.

55. What happens if a driver stalls on the starting grid?

There are three distinct scenarios:

• If a driver stalls whilst the green light is on (indicating the start of the formation lap), his mechanics are allowed to push the car to start it once all the competitors have left the grid. He is not permitted to overtake during the formation lap and must start from the back of the grid. However, a driver who has difficulty starting his car but who manages to leave before the last car has crossed the start/finish Line is allowed to overtake during the formation lap and take up his original position on the grid.

• If a driver stalls on the grid after the formation lap, but before the race has started (ie when all the lights are extinguished), he must raise his arm to notify the starter, who turns on the flashing yellow lights. The start is aborted and the procedure begins again from the "5-minute" board. In order to compensate for the additional formation lap, the race is reduced by one lap. The driver responsible for the false start must start from the back of the grid.

• If a driver stalls after the race has started, so that it is too late for the starting procedure to be interrupted, the marshals will push his car to the pit lane once all the competitors have left the grid. If the driver is then able to start his engine, he may rejoin the race. Otherwise, he is pushed back to his pit where his mechanics will take over.

56. What procedure is followed if more than one driver is unable to start of the formation lap?

If more than one driver is stationary and unable to start the formation lap when the remaining cars have crossed the Line (normally as a result of mechanical problems or a stalled engine), they must all start from the back of the grid (provided, of course, their mechanics are able to rectify the problem in time) in the order they left to start their formation lap.

57. Are there special starting procedures in the event of rain?

In the event of rain, the regulations provide for different possibilities, depending on the circumstances:

• If the rain is such that, in the opinion of the Race Director, it would be dangerous to start the race with the normal procedure, it is possible to start behind the Safety Car. In this case, the revolving yellow lights on the Safety Car, which is positioned at the front of the starting grid, are switched on no later than the one-minute signal. This indicates to the drivers that the race will be started behind the Safety Car. When the green light is switched on, the Safety Car leaves the grid followed by all the other cars. The race starts immediately, and there is no formation lap. Overtaking is permitted only after the Safety Car has returned into the pit lane (see 62). Prior to this, overtaking is only permitted in order to pass a car which remains on the grid, or in order to retain a grid position provided the car overtaking left the grid before the last car crossed the line.

• If it starts to rain after the 5-minute signal but before the start of the race, the procedure may be interrupted and recommence at the 15-minute point.

• If the start of the race is imminent and a particularly heavy shower begins, and the volume of water on the track is such that it cannot be negotiated safely, the procedure may be interrupted by the Race Director, who will order a "10" board with a red background to be shown. This indicates that the start has been aborted and that there will be a delay of at least 10 minutes before the procedure is resumed.

  If weather conditions have improved at the end of the ten-minute period, a "10" board with a green background will be shown, indicating that the start of the formation lap will be given 10 minutes later.

  If however, the weather conditions have not improved within ten minutes, the "10" board with the red background is shown again, indicating a further delay of ten minutes. This procedure may be repeated several times, but it is not necessary to wait for the end of the 10 minutes to show the green board.

58. Is the race stopped in case of rain?

No, normally the race is not stopped if it starts to rain. It is up to the drivers and teams to decide whether they want to stop at their pit to change tyres or continue with the dry-weather tyres.

However, if the conditions are such that driving at racing speed would constitute a serious danger, the Race Director may order the use of the Safety Car (in which case the normal Safety Car procedure would apply - see 57 above and 62 to 64 below). If the conditions are so extreme that to carry on driving would be dangerous even behind the Safety Car, the race would be stopped.

59. Can the race be stopped?

Yes, the FIA Race Director may interrupt the race at any time in the interests of safety, and particularly if the circuit is blocked. This is done by ordering red flags to be shown around the entire the track.

60. What procedures apply when the race is stopped?

In the Event of this happening, there are three possibilities, depending on the number of laps completed by the race leader:

A. Less than two laps completed

B. Two or more laps completed, but less than 75% of the total distance of the race

C. 75% or more of the total race distance completed.

In case A, which is typical when a major accident occurs during the start, the first start is considered null and void and the new start is given twenty minutes later.

In case B, the race is considered to be in two parts. Thus, if the safety conditions permit, there is a second start twenty minutes later, for which the grid is determined on the basis of the classification of the penultimate lap before the signal to stop the race (red flag) was given. If a second start cannot be given, the classification of the race will be that of the penultimate lap preceding the signal to stop the race and only half the points will be awarded.

In case C, the race will be considered as finished, and all the points will be awarded on the basis of the classification of the penultimate lap preceding the signal to stop the race.

61. When is the safety car used?

The purpose of the Safety Car is to neutralise the race in the Event of an accident or other incident which exposes competitors or officials to immediate physical danger. It may also be used in the event of a very heavy and sudden shower (see 57 above). It may not be used when the track is blocked.

The Safety Car slows the racing cars so that they do not endanger emergency teams working on or near the track, and are not at risk from slow moving vehicles, such as ambulances.

62. What is the safety car procedure?

The Clerk of the Course (under the direction of the FIA Race Director) dispatches the Safety Car. When the Safety Car is in use, and as soon as it leaves the pit-lane, a yellow flag together with the "SC" board is shown at all the track marshals' posts. Overtaking is prohibited, the cars must reduce their speed and line up behind the Safety Car in the order they were on the track when the signal was shown. Once the cars are lined up behind the Safety Car in race order and as soon as circuit (or weather) conditions permit, it will extinguish its revolving lights and return to the pit lane to indicate that the race will start again when the cars next cross the Line.

63. Do the laps covered behind the safety car count?

Yes, all the laps covered behind the Safety Car count as part of the total distance of the race.

64. May a car stop at its pit whilst the safety car is on the track?

Yes, but it may only rejoin the track when the green light is on in the pit lane. It will be on at all times except when the Safety Car and the line of cars following it are about to pass or are passing the pit exit.

A car rejoining the track must proceed at reduced speed until it reaches the end of the line of cars behind the Safety Car.

Thus, a car which makes a pit stop in such circumstances will lose its position and rejoin the race at the back of the field, (but not necessarily in last place since there might be cars in the field which are one or more laps behind the car which made the pit-stop).

65. Is refuelling allowed during the race?

Yes, but it must be carried out with the refuelling equipment specified by the FIA. The system is based on aviation equipment and complies with all the other safety requirements laid down by the FIA. Refuelling is not obligatory.

66. Are there any speed limits?

Strange though it may seem, yes, but only in the pit lane, where the speed limit is 60 kph (37.5 mph) during practice and 80 kph (50 mph) during the race (except Monaco - 60 kph at all times).

There are electronic devices checking the speed of the cars along the whole of the pit lane; if a competitor exceeds the limit during the race, he is usually penalised with a time penalty (see 49 above); during practice, he is usually fined US$250 for each kph over the limit. However, as in everyday life, the severity of the punishment is proportional to the seriousness of the offence, and also takes repeat offences into account.

To avoid this, all the teams have equipped their cars with a speed limiter which the driver activates (usually by pressing a button on the steering wheel) as soon as he enters the pit lane. The rear light flashes when the speed limiter is operating. This is to stop the device being used for other purposes such as traction control

67. In what conditions are the cars weighed?

The Scrutineers may weigh the cars at any time, to make sure that they never weigh less than 600 kg, including driver. Electronic weighing devices are located at the entrance to the pit lane to enable these checks to be carried out. During qualifying practice, an electronic programme selects at random the cars which are to be checked. When a car is chosen by the computer, a red light comes on and the driver returning to his pit must proceed to the weighing area. If the weight of the car is less than the minimum required by the Technical Regulations, the driver could be excluded from the Event, but he has the right to request that the car be weighed a second time. To avoid cheating, any car which breaks down on the circuit also has to pass in front of the computer which decides whether the car must be weighed in the same conditions. At the end of the race, all the cars are directed to the parc fermé where they are weighed; the drivers are also weighed before proceeding to the podium or to their motorhome. If a car's weight does not comply at the finish, it maybe excluded from the classification.

68. What are the flag signals?

In addition to the red flag, "stopping the race", and the chequered flag, "end of the race", there are other flags, each having a specific meaning.

The blue flag during the race tells a driver he is about to be lapped and to let the other car overtake, on pain of a time penalty for obstruction.

The yellow flag indicates danger, and overtaking is prohibited. One waved yellow flag means slow down; two waved at the same post means slow down and prepare to stop if necessary.

The green flag indicates the end of the danger and of the ban on overtaking.

A flag with vertical red and yellow stripes warns the competitors that the track is slippery (usually oil), and a black flag with an orange disc accompanied by the number of a car warns the driver that his car has a mechanical problem and that he must go to his pit.

A flag with a white triangle and a black triangle accompanied by the number of a car is a warning for unsporting behaviour.

The black flag, accompanied by the number of a car, summons the driver of such car to immediately return to his pit. This procedure is mostly used to notify a competitor of his exclusion from the race.

69. Does the chequered flag always signal the finish?

Yes, even if the chequered flag is waved too early, the race still ends when this signal is given. However, if the flag is waved too late the classification is that obtained at the end of the scheduled number of laps. Only cars which have covered 90% of the distance will be classified.

A driver does not necessarily have to still be on the track to be classified, but if a car takes more than twice as long as the fastest lap time achieved by the winner to complete its last lap, this lap will not be taken into account.

70. Is private testing on circuits permitted?

Private testing is currently forbidden:

• On any circuit which appears on the Formula One World Championship calendar, except for Monza, Barcelona, Silverstone and Magny Cours.
• On all circuits during the week preceding the Event (except for a shakedown test of no more than 50 km).
• On any circuit which has not been approved for Formula One.