Australian F1 Grand Prix 2019: Race Preview Feature - Regulation Changes For 2019

Australian F1 Grand Prix 2019: Race Preview Feature - Regulation Changes For 2019

It wouldn鈥檛 be a new Formula One season without a few new regulations to get our heads around. For 2012, they are relatively few in number, but have had a dramatic impact on the look of the current generation of Formula One cars - and also have the potential to alter the sporting outcome of races. Here are the most important new sections of the 2012 Sporting and Technical Regulations. 鈥?Maximum race time: Art. 5.3, no race may now last longer than a maximum of four hours. Last year鈥檚 Canadian Grand Prix lasted a total of 4hrs 4min 39.537s, although only 57min 10s were actually spent at racing speed! 鈥?Driving etiquette: Arts. 20.2 & 20.3, drivers may no longer leave the track without 鈥渏ustifiable reason鈥? while the acceptable limits of defensive driving have now been formally written into the rules. 鈥?Crash testing: Art. 22.2, all mandatory crash tests must be completed prior to a team conducting any track testing.

This was previously only mandatory for race events. 鈥?In-season testing: Art. 22.4 (i), provision has now been made for one three-day in-season test, to be held in Mugello from 1 to 3 May. MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS topped the tables for average daily mileage in pre-season testing, completing an average of 472 km per official test day with the F1 W03. The car completed a total of 4,250 km over nine official test days, plus a further 200 km during filming days, with just two on-track stoppages. 鈥?Team curfew exemptions: Art. 30.19, team catering, marketing and media personnel are now formally exempted from the curfew observed by other team members. 鈥?New Safety Car rules: Art. 40.12, if it is considered safe to do so, cars that have been lapped by the leader will be allowed to unlap themselves under the Safety Car. 鈥?Lower nose height: Art. 鈥?Reduced tolerances: Art 3.12.6, permitted manufacturing tolerances for aerodynamic components have been reduced by some 40% to 3mm (from 5mm previously). 鈥?Throttle and exhaust controls: Arts. 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, the regulations covering these areas now amount to a total of 954 words (!) and regulate the use of engine throttles, engine torque demands and the positioning of exhaust outlets. 鈥?Additional load test: Art. 18.9.2, an additional vertical load test on the lateral impact structures on the chassis brings to 18 the total number of load and impact tests a chassis must pass in order to receive FIA homologation.

If an airbag is deployed, the high-voltage technology is automatically disabled. The new Mercedes-Benz Limited Edition Viano PEARL demonstrates the possibilities of a luxurious large-capacity vehicle. This range-topping Viano combines both space and exclusivity. The Viano PEARL's luxurious interior with specially selected materials and its dynamic exterior both set new standards. Two-tone 19-inch light-alloy wheels with 245/45 R 19 tyres further highlight the dynamism of the Limited Edition Viano PEARL. Thanks to its V6 diesel engine, the Limited Edition Viano PEARL CDI 3.0 BlueEfficiency develops 165 kW (224 hp) of power; a superior level of power with low fuel consumption. The top-of-the-line Viano model is alternatively available with a 3.5 l V6 petrol engine, which puts out 190 kW (258 hp) of power. In both variants, this power is transferred via an automatic transmission. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter starts in spring 2012 with several product improvements which underline its desire to be the leader in the vans segment.

It is the first van in the world which can be ordered with a seven-speed automatic torque converter. The new 7G-TRONIC transmission will be available worldwide as an option on the van from the beginning of this year. The seven-speed automatic features fully electronic control and, despite having already proved itself in many Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars, the system has now been adapted to the demands of the vans segment. The advantage of this new transmission with its seven stages is the combination of a broad gear ratio spread with a close graduation of the gears. In practice, this means that a small ratio in first gear ensures a dynamic start. At high speeds, however, the Sprinter drives fuel-efficiently, with low emissions and low noise levels thanks to its low engine speeds. FleetBoard telematics for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter can be fitted ex-works as part of the original equipment. Experience in short-radius distribution has shown that fuel consumption and CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 30 percent if the vehicle is driven in an economical way.

With five Mercedes-Benz trucks being exhibited in Amsterdam, a small selection from the delivery programme of the world's largest truck manufacturer will be on show. With the Dutch market traditionally being a market for cross-European long-distance delivery firms, three variants of the new Actos will be shown: 1842 LS Super Stream Space, 1842 Stream Space and 1851 Giga Space. For low-emissions short-radius distribution, there will be a small series of the Atego 1222 L BlueTec Hybrid. The vehicles presented will be rounded off by the tried and tested Actros 4144 Tipper construction truck with the WideSpread chassis specific to the Dutch market. All variants of the new Mercedes-Benz Actros are thoroughbread long-distance transport vehicles. Specially designed for use as a long-distance vehicle, a modular system forms the basis of the new Actros. This system includes seven spacious cabs, of which five with a level floor. Innovative interior design ideas, such as the separation of work and living areas, are characteristic of the new cab.