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Traction control is banned

A meeting of the World Motor Sport Council this week has resulted in a number of notable rule changes being officially ratified for the 2008 season.

Perhaps most significant is the confirmation, much expected, that traction control systems will be banned with the introduction of the standard ECU, but arguably more interesting, although given less prominence, is a loosening of the engine homologation regulations that first saw the light of day for this season.

The introduction of standard ECU was agreed some time ago and it has been widely expected that traction control, a system vilified as action stifling by the fans, would be banned at the same time. A new revision to the Technical Regulations reads:

"No car may be equipped with a system or device which is capable of preventing the driven wheels from spinning under power or of compensating for excessive throttle demand by the driver. Any device or system which notifies the driver of the onset of wheel spin is not permitted." (Article 9.3)

The meeting also saw a step back by the FIA from the engine freeze rules, with teams being permitted to carry out modifications to the clutch, trumpet tray, hydraulic pumps, injection systems, alternators, fuel pumps, oil pumps, water pumps, exhaust systems, electronic sensors, electrical looms and spark plugs from 2008, all areas restricted under the current regulations.

In addition, the width of the cars will remain the same despite an initial intention to allow wider cars, a move to slick tyres will not be carried out as had been expected, and the weight limit, which had been expected to be reduced, will remain the same as it is now, at 605kg.

Written: Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:48:04