Formula 1 enters the jubilee 70th season in its history with a number of changes in the sporting and technical regulations – MAXF1 gives you an overview of the most important changes for 2019 F1 season.
New tyres markings
For 2019 F1 season Pirelli decided to use C1 (hardest), C2, C3, C4 and C5 (softest) names for their dry weather tyre compounds.
Pirelli brings three tyre compounds to each Grand Prix which can be identified by the colour on their sidewalls: softest compound is marked with red, medium compound is yellow and softest avalaible compound is marked with white.
Point for fastest lap
Formula 1 had a point awarded for fastest lap from 1950 to 1959, and for 2019, the driver will have to finish the race in the top ten to get an extra point for the fastest lap.
Minimum weight increased
The minimum weight for 2017 has risen to 728 kg due to bigger and heavier tyres as well as wider cars and from 2018 it was further increased to 734 kg due to the introduction of a halo protection system. For 2019, the minimum weight increased to 743 kg due to larger wings and the introduction of the minimum weight of the driver with his seat.
Minimum weight for drivers with their seats
In order to help the bigger drivers, the minimum 80 kg weight of the driver with his seat is introduced in 2019 and in case the driver with a seat is lighter than 80 kg, his weight is supplemented with a specially placed ballast in the seat.
New helmets and biometric gloves
For 2019 F1 season drivers must use biometric gloves that some drivers used last year and helmets became safer thanks to new standards and smaller visors.
Increased race fuel allowance
Due to higher air resistance, more weight and to decrease fuel saving in the race, FIA has increased the permitted fuel allowance from 105 to 110 kg.
Stricter oil burning control
The teams must empty the auxiliary oil tanks before the qualifying so that they cannot use the oil to gain extra power in special engine operating modes.
Pitlane start changes
Drivers starting from the pitlane in F1 2019 will also be allowed to drive a warm-up lap with other drivers to feel the grip levels on the track after which they have to return to the pits and start the race when the green light is on at the pitlane exit.
Lights for the end of the race
As a reaction to the 2018 Canadian GP blip, when Winnie Harlow signaled the end of the race one lap too early, the FIA introduced a lights that will signal the end of the race.
The traditional chequered flag remains, but will now only have a symbolic function.
Teams control themselves
Until now, teams had to submit their cars to the FIA’s garage on Thursday and in 2019 the teams will check their cars by themselves. The legality declaration must be submitted to FIA no later than 18 hours before the start of the first free practice session and the FIA will, as before, check the cars after each session, especially after the qualifying and the race.
Grid penalties
Last year, the FIA introduced the rule that drivers who receive more than 15 grid places automatically go to the back of the grid and if more drivers received such a penalty, the starting order was decided in the order they left the pits in the first free practice session.
For 2019 this order will be determined according to the qualifying results to force the drivers to participate in qualifying even if they have such a penalty.
Overtaking after SC withdrawal
So far, drivers have been able to overtake after the so-called first safety car line after the safety car pulled into the pits. For 2019, overtaking is only allowed after the start finish line
Aerodynamic changes
Front wing
The front wings are 200 mm wider and are now a 2 meters wide (last year 1800 mm) while the endplates are now simpler, with no slits and vanes on their edges. Also, cascades on the edges of the wings and similar vanes are prohibited while the curvature of the elements is strictly controlled by the rules to reduce vortices creation.
The wing is moved forward by 25 mm to reduce turbulence, which should make it easier to follow the car and enhance overtaking.
Brake ducts
Zone where teams can put their cooling ducts and aero devices is now much smaller to decrease created turbulence.
Bargeboards
Bargeboards are moved forward and are 125 mm lower (350 mm above the reference plane instead of 475 mm), also to reduce turbulence for the cars behind.
Rear wing
This year, the rear wing is 100 mm wider and the DRS system has a 25% stronger effect thanks to the larger space when the upper flap is open. The rear wing endplates are now simpler, with slits only allowed in certain places.
