Rediscover Formula One : Formula One News, Views and Reviews

Narain finally inked the deal with williams. Tata also become the official sponsor of the Williams F1 team. Narain's future seemed bleek just a week ago when Alexander Wurz became test driver for Williams. Now Narain will be 2nd test driver for Williams F1 team and unlike last year will be paid.

RENAULT


Fernando Alonso


Giancarlo Fisichella


TOYOTA


Jarno Trulli


Ralf Schumacher


RED BULL RACING


David Coulthard


Christian Klien

SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO


Vitantonio Liuzzi


Scott Speed

McLAREN


Kimi Raikkonen


Juan Pablo Montoya

WILLIAMS


Mark Webber


Nico Rosberg


BMW SAUBER


Nick Heidfeld


Jacques Villeneuve


SUPER AGURI


Takuma Sato


Yuji Ide

FERRARI


Michael Schumacher


Felipe Massa


HONDA


Rubens Barrichello


Jenson Button


MIDLAND


Christijan Albers


Tiago Monteiro

New Colors

Ferrari today unveiled its new F1 car christened the F1 248. It features a lot of aerodynamical changes apart for a new sponsor logo. Martini is a new sponsor of Ferrari.The deal was announced on Monday afternoon, a day prior to the official launch of Ferrari's new challenger at Mugello.

Regulations
Engine

2006 will see a number of significant changes to the Formula One regulations. In an attempt to curb the increasing engine power levels of recent years, the maximum engine displacement will be reduced from 3.0 to 2.4 litres and the number of cylinders from 10 to 8. However, some teams will be allowed to continue using 3.0 litre 10 cylinder engines with a rev limiter for the 2006 and 2007 season only, in order to avoid the costs of re-engineering their cars in a short period. The switch to smaller engines may not mean a significant decrease in power, however, because some engine suppliers have already indicated that their smaller V8s can rev higher than the 19,000rpms normal for 2005-spec V10s. Initial testing proved that the new engines were six seconds slower than their V10 counterparts, but this margin is set to reduce dramatically as the season draws nearer.

Northampton-based engine builder Cosworth has an enviable record of success with V8 engines, and it claims to have made further history by becoming the first manufacturer to have broken the 20,000rpm limit on track. (December 2005)


Cost reduction

In the long run, the FIA intends to introduce greater restrictions on testing and the introduction of standardized electronics, tyres and brakes to reduce costs and entice more new private teams into the sport.


Tyres

Tyre changes return to Formula One next season. Each driver will be limited to 14 sets of tyres, consisting of 7 sets of dry-weather tyres, 4 sets of wet-weather tyres and 3 sets of extreme-weather tyres.


Qualifying

This new qualifying system consisting of three sessions of varying length. A 15-minute session is held first, in which the 5 slowest cars from that session are eliminated and thus set in grid positions 16 - 20. After a 5 minute break, another 15-minute session is held with the remaining cars, and again the 5 slowest cars are eliminated and set in positions 11 - 15. These 10 drivers that have been eliminated will now be allowed to return their cars to their garages and modify them, as well as their fuel load, as they see fit.

The remaining 10 cars will then, during a 5 minute break, will declare their fuel loads to the FIA. A final 20 minute session will then set the top 10 grid positions. The teams will be allowed to run their fuel load as low as possible by making as many laps as possible, and thus improve their times as the weight falls. This is an improvement for the TV audience because the teams will need to be out making as many laps as possible to lower their fuel load. Following this session, the top 10 cars will be placed in parc ferme and required to refill their fuel load to the level of that at the beginning of the final 20 minutes.

There is speculation that a small change will come into force on this rule, as a loophole was found by the FIA. It was feared that teams would declare a big fuel-load, but then on the out lap, 'leak' or use a big quantity of fuel and thus having a lighter car to go quicker with. The FIA though will calculate, based on fuel consumption of a V8 engine, how much fuel had been used, and the teams will only be allowed to refill up to that level, instead of the original one given. (Source)

If 11 teams are accepted for the championship (Which at this stage is looking unlikely), 6 drivers will be eliminated after the first 15-minute session and 6 after the second 15-minute session, filling positions 11 - 22. The last 20 minutes will be the same, with 10 cars battling it out and having to refuel at the end of the session. If a 12th team is accepted, then it will be similar to the 11-team format, but with 12 drivers left for the final 20 minutes.


Practice

Only one free practice session will take place on Saturdays. It will be one hour in length, and will finish no less than two hours before qualifying, usually between 11.00 and 12.00, replacing the old system of two 45-minute sessions.

Ferrari will unveil their new Formula One car on 24 January 2006 at their Mugello track in Italy, Europe. Unlike last year it'll have a V8 engine.Micheal Schumi and Massa Race for Ferrari New Year. Massa's manager is suspiciously a Mr.Todt.
Jean Todt is team principal of Scuderia Ferrari.

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Date and Grand Prix

The 2006 season unlike the rest of the years starts in sizzling Bahrain as the Aussies are busy hosting the Commonwealth games, from there we goto Sepang and then down under.

12 March 2006 Bahrain, Manama

19 March 2006 Malaysia, Sepang

2 April 2006 Australia, Melbourne

23 April 2006 San Marino, Imola

7 May 2006 European, Nurburgring (Germany)

14 May 2006 Spain, Barcelona

28 May 2006 Monaco, Monte Carlo

11 June 2006 Great Britain, Silverstone

25 June 2006 Canada, Montreal

2 July 2006 USA, Indianapolis

16 July 2006 France, Magny-Cours

30 July 2006 Germany, Hockenheim

6 August 2006 Hungary, Budapest

27 August 2006 Turkey, Istanbul

10 September 2006 Italy, Monza

1 October 2006 China, Shanghai

8 October 2006 Japan, Suzuka

22 October 2006 Brazil, Interlagos

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