[Meowmeowz]

The FIA has clamped down on teams changing their engine maps between qualifying and the race, effectively ruling out qualifying specials such as the ones Red Bull are likely to be using.

In a note sent from F1 technical delegate Charlie Whiting to the teams, he made it clear that with immediate effect teams will no longer be allowed to change engine maps between qualifying and the race.

Such a move will effectively prevent teams from running an extreme engine map for qualifying - such as one that produces more exhaust blowing or burns more fuel – and then reverting to a safer setting for the grand prix itself. Source: autosport.com - F1 News: FIA in new engine mapping clampdown

The ruling takes place immediately, so I wonder if we'll see RBR dominate qualifying in Valencia as they have done so far this season...

[immewaycypef]

Interesting...lets see how this pans out as I suspect a few teams were doing this.

[aaafluochugh]

Why bother banning it? Just more rules for the sake of rules.

[nuabuncarnigo]

What a bunch of d!cks

[mikeydesignzinc]

Can't the driver already switch between engine maps during the race? Unless they're banning that as well I can't see how this could work.

This does look like it's aimed squarely at handicapping the championship leaders, which leaves a rather sour taste in the mouth.

[qd0vhq4f]

This is getting worse than the BTCC...

[yahyynzer]

I think some teams are probably bending the intention of the rules somewhat Instead of qualifying engines, we get qualifying electronics and we all know that costly electronics development departments is something the FIA is trying to eradicate vis-a-vis the standard ECU.

The ethics of a F1 engine screaming under no load in a braking zone doesn't sit well with F1's desire to push greener technology either

[Loovikeillilen]

F1 is about as green as the diarrhea of rules changes they are spewing lately.

[Meowmeowz]

The ethics of a F1 engine screaming under no load in a braking zone doesn't sit well with F1's desire to push greener technology either

There's part of me that thinks F1 should stop with the pretence that it's remotely "green".

90,000 people travelling by road and air from all over the world to watch cars that were transported on a fleet of customised 747s or driven all round Europe in dozens articulated lorries... well it's never going to be that green, is it?

[nuabuncarnigo]

There's part of me that thinks F1 should stop with the pretence that it's remotely "green".

90,000 people travelling by road and air from all over the world to watch cars that were transported on a fleet of customised 747s or driven all round Europe in dozens articulated lorries... well it's never going to be that green, is it?

I heard that all the fuel consumed by the 24 F1 cars over 20 races/quali sessions etc is less than the fuel consumed by just one Boeing 747 flight to a race meet. In that case, F1 cars are already very "green"

[yahyynzer]

But they have offset the Carbon emissions accrued during a season to tick the "Green" box

[adultcomicssitedessaa]

This is getting more and more ridiculous.

What's next? Rip the wings off of the Red Bull if they continue to win?

[otheloComRole]

Can't wait for what the guys in the factory come up with next.

RBR will still have an advantage in qualy. DRS is free-for-all in qualy and their rear wing is the most efficient - remember that Hamilton remarked how RBR had better DF at the Spanish GP.

[Blaxastij]

I thought that the drivers could change engine maps by twirling a knob on their steering wheel and that this was also used to trim fuel usage in a race or turn the wick up if some hot laps were needed.

Will all the teams now have to run standard FIA issue steering wheels to stop these dastardly practices?

[otheloComRole]

Ooops, misread OP.

Sounds daft at first. Is this a temporary ban or still be in force next year when chimmney exhausts are brought back?

They can still change engine characteristics via fuel mixture. I wonder if that can be worked round for the trick exhausts?

[htDgExh8]

The other teams tried to hamper RB last year to, remember the changed test of their front wing.
What´s next, a bann of RB rearwing?

[UvjqTVVC]

The other teams tried to hamper RB last year to, remember the changed test of their front wing.
What´s next, a bann of RB rearwing?

Nah they should really go for and just ban RB.

[Blaxastij]

They can still change engine characteristics via fuel mixture. I wonder if that can be worked round for the trick exhausts?

I would have thought changing fuel mixture was the same as changing maps - it must be being done electronically. I can't see how you can have the ability to change fuel mixture on the one hand and ban changing maps on the other. My only experience with engine mapping is with my rally car and that has separate fuel and ignition maps (and lots of others for anti lag etc) but all have to work together i.e. one ignition map would not be compatible with another fuelling map without the risk of getting detonation.

[sirmzereigMix]

I see no harm in banning this at all. It's a bit ridiculous banning it mid season though we've all become to expect that level of amateurish behaviour the FIA over the years. They are a jokeshop.

On the other hand, it may give other teams a chance to get pole now, which would be no harm either and it might spice the season up a bit.

[sirmzereigMix]

The other teams tried to hamper RB last year to, remember the changed test of their front wing.
What´s next, a bann of RB rearwing?

Yeah, well the rear wings aren't supposed to be flexible and cleary RB's wing last year was so you can hardly blame them.