Formula One news
F1 scraps third cars, amends engine rules
18 October 2006F1 teams will not be allowed to run three cars at Grand Prix practice sessions from next season, the FIA announced on Wednesday. Third drivers, however will still have their time in the spotlight in a revised weekend timetable.
Friday free practice will be extended to two 90-minute sessions, from the current two 60-minute format. However, teams will be limited to using two cars in any one session which will be driven by a nominated third driver or the team's regular two race drivers. In another twist, Friday practice will be exempt from the two-engine rules.
At the moment engines must last for two successive Grands Prix and any unscheduled engine changes incur a ten place grid penalty. This has meant that the main drivers have not run much on Fridays to conserve engine mileage. The new rule is designed to fix that problem.
Tyres will also change next season as Bridgestone will be the only supplier, teams will have 14 sets available per driver per weekend - twice as much as currently.
Another change involves safety cars where lapped cars will be allowed past the pace car so they don't get in the way of the leaders. Any lapped car between cars running on the lead lap will have to pass those cars and the safety car and proceed around the track to take up position at the back of the line of cars behind the safety car.
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