Compared to the raft of new regulations introduced to Formula One in 2009, there is only one significant change for the 2010 season, but the ban on mid-race refuelling will prompt major changes to car design.
Fuel load: Carrying up to 180kg of fuel - previously around 60kg - will change weight distribution dramatically
Engine, gear box: Moved farther back to accommodate larger fuel tank
Fuel tank: Bigger, higher - capacity increased from 80 litres to 250 litres
Wheelbase: Extended. Due to the refuelling ban, wheelbases will be longer as designers are forced to accommodate fuel tanks close to double the size of 2009 cars.
Weight: Minimum 620kg (up from 650kg) to allow for increased size
Refuelling: Now banned during race. Pit stops will continue for tire changes - now expected to take about two seconds
Tires: Front wheel width down from 270mm to 245mm, reducing grip
Qualifying: will follow the same three-stage format, with adjustments to allow for the expansion of the field from 20 to 24 cars. The number of competitors eliminated after stages one and two will be increased from five to seven, still leaving drivers in the final qualifying stage.
Balance: Will shift from rear to front as fuel level drops
Wing: Smaller front wheel requires changes to front wing aerodynamics
Wheel fairings: Banned
GRAPHIC NEWS/THE GLOBE AND MAIL
SOURCES: FIA; AUTOSPORT; BRIDGESTONE; MERCEDES; AP
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F1 SCHEDULE
March 14 - Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir
March 28 - Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne
April 4 - Malaysian Grand Prix, Kuala Lumpur
April 18 - Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai
May 9 - Spanish Grand Prix, Cataluyna
May 16 - Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo
May 30 - Turkish Grand Prix, Istanbul
June 13 - Canada Grand Prix, Montreal
June 27 - European Grand Prix, Valencia, Spain
July 11 - British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England
July 25 - German Grand Prix, Hockenheim, Germany
Aug. 1 - Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest
Aug. 29 - Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps
Sept. 12 - Italian Grand Prix, Monza
Sept. 26 - Singapore Grand Prix
Oct. 10 - Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka
Oct. 24 - Korean Grand Prix, Yongam
Nov. 7 - Brazilian Grand Prix, Sao Paulo
Nov. 14 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates