A rundown of all the rule changes that have heralded a brand new era in Formula 1 from 2014.
In-season testing returnsIn a shake-up of testing restrictions during the season,
four tests two-day tests at grand prix venues are now permitted from the Tuesday after the corresponding race. The Young Driver Test has been scrapped as a result.
Driver penalty pointsIn order to create a more streamlined disciplinary system,
stewards can now impose penalty points on a driver's Super Licence for on-track misdemeanours.
If a driver reaches 12 points he will be removed for the following grand prix, after which the accrued points will be wiped. The points will remain on a driver's licence for 12 months.
Qualifying tweaksWhile the three-part knockout format that has been in place since 2006 essentially remains unchanged, small but significant revisions have been made to maximise the time cars spend on track - particularly in Q3. Whereas previously top-ten runners would have the option of remaining in their garages for the final stage in order to start on fresher tyres in the race, all Q3 participants will now have to start the race on the tyre they used in Q2. Furthermore, Q1 will be reduced from 20 to 18 minutes while Q3 will be lengthened from 10 minutes to 12, to give drivers more time to complete two timed runs.
Pole position trophyThe driver who claims the
most pole positions during the season will be awarded a new trophy in recognition at the end of the year. In the event of a tie then the driver with the amount of second places will be declared the winner and so on until a clear winner emerges.
Extra tyres in P1To help encourage cars to take to the track earlier in Friday Practice One sessions each driver will have access to an additional set of 'prime' tyres for the first 30 minutes of running.
What's new on the cars?
All-new engines The 2.4-litre V8 engines that were used in 2013 are
replaced by 1.6-litre V6s with a single turbocharger. The rev limit is also reduced from 18,000 rpm to 15,000 rpm.
To increase the sport's green credentials and road relevance the cars' energy-recovery capabilities have also been enhanced with two ERS systems now in place, one which recovers kinetic energy under braking (known as the MGU-K) and the other heat energy from the exhaust turbine (the MGU-H). Unlike the case with KERS, drivers won't activate the ERS boost - which will now offer 161bhp for 33 seconds per lap - via a button on the steering wheel.
Fuel limit for racesCars will now have to start races carrying 100kg of fuel - compared to approximately 150kg in 2013 - to complete the distance with a limited fuel-flow rate of 100kg/hour.
Lower nosesIn a bid to avoid cars being launched in accidents, the tip of the
nose has been dramatically lowered - a change which has given rise to spate of 'ugly' 2014 nose designs.
Front and rear wing changesA fundamental change at the front of the car results in front wings being narrowed from 1800mm to 1650mm. There are also changes at the rear with the rear-wing main plane removed and a shallower rear wing to decrease downforce. But to ensure the DRS overtaking aid remains a powerful overtaking tool, the flap can open as wide as 65mm, a 15mm increase from 2013.
Anything else? Eight-speed gearboxes replace the previous seven while ratios will be fixed for the season; a central exhaust exit pipe out of the back of the car to end blown-diffuser effect; increase in minimum car weight from 642kg to 691kg.