F1 brings in slew of changes from next season

The world governing body of motorsports on Wednesday made a slew of changes in the Formula One season next year, including non-permission of cars to take part in pre-season testing without passing all crash tests.

Among other changes in sporting regulations for next year's races, World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) today decided at a meeting here that the maximum race time will be four hours to ensure that a lengthy suspension does not result in a prolonged race.

"Cars may no longer take part in pre-season testing without having passed all crash tests. There will now be a maximum race time of four hours to ensure that a lengthy suspension of a race does not result in a race that could run up to eight hours if left unregulated," an FIA release said.

"Before the safety car returns to the pits all lapped cars will be allowed to unlap themselves and then join the back of the pack, ensuring a clean re-start without slower cars impeding those racing for the leading positions," it said.

Cars which were in the pit lane when a race is suspended will now be allowed to re-join the cars on the grid in the position they were in when the race was suspended.

Drivers may no longer leave track without a justifiable reason and they may no longer move back on to the racing line having moved off it to defend a position.

One three-day test will be carried out during the season, as against none earlier.

All tyres allocated to a driver may now be used on first day of practice; formerly only three sets were permitted.