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F1 2014 Preview: What Are The New Rules?

What Are The New Rules Shaking Up F1 For 2014?
The Huffington Post UK
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Unless they've been hiding in a cave for the past couple of months, any sports fan with even just a passing interest in F1 will know how Red Bull have been suffering in F1 pre-season testing. What they may not know is why.

Well, 2014 has brought huge changes to the sporting rules and regulations. Sure there have been changes before but not on such a wholesale basis. Teams have known they were coming but some did not devote as much time and resources to development for this year whilst the 2013 season was still being fought, Red Bull being a notable example.

So, for anyone still catching up with the changes from a return to turbo power to double points, here are the leading changes.

F1 2014: The New Rules
Engines(01 of05)
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Or power units as they seem to be known as these days. Out have gone the 2.4-litre V8s to be replaced by turbo-powered V6s. At the same time the old KERS have been replaced with energy recovery systems that provide double the power boost for longer. Drivers will have 160bhp more to play with. How reliable these new units prove to be could provide a fascinating story to 2014 after previous years where the sight of white smoke blowing from the back of an F1 car has been spotted less and less. (credit:Getty Images)
Double points(02 of05)
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'Absurd', 'tinsel town bullshit', 'a little bit WWF' are just a few of the verdicts on the new points system for 2013 which will see drivers ending the season in Abu Dhabi fighting it out for double points. The justification from Bernie Ecclestone is that it will keep the championship alive until the end. What this gimmick may also do is allow a poorly-prepared team at the start of the season to come up on the outside rails. Red Bull for the title, anyone? (credit:PA)
Qualifying(03 of05)
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The FIA is looking into possible changes in qualifying to allow a longer Q3 and avoid the situation where fans sitting in the stands miss out on seeing on-track action as drivers quite happily stay in the garages preserving their tyres.What is new though is the Pole Position Trophy awarded to the driver who claims the most poles in the season. Can't help thinking extra points might have been better though. (credit:PA)
Fuel limit(04 of05)
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Remember Ayrton Senna hitching a ride with Nigel Mansell at Silverstone after his car ran out of juice? Well, there may be more of that as one of the most significant changes is introduced - less fuel. Each car will only be allowed 100kg of fuel per race, approximately a third less than previous years. With flow also restricted, teams will have to manage the fuel more efficiently. (credit:PA)
The Cars(05 of05)
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The strange array of front noses that greeted the waiting media when teams unveiled their cars at the beginning of the year have been the main talking points about the 2014 F1 cars but there are more changes to accompany those protrusions. The front wings have narrowed while the cars have got wider and heavier. Exhaust-blown rear diffusers are out replaced by a single exhaust placed centrally. The rear wings have had one beam removed. (credit:PA)

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