LEWIS HAMILTON begins the defence of his Formula One world championship on Sunday in Melbourne in the first race of the new season.
And he knows he will face competition from rival Sebastian Vettel who has triumphed at the Australian Grand Prix in the last two years.
There are eight new rule changes that come into force in 2019, with the season ending on December 1 – longer than any previous championship since 1963.
WHAT IS NEW IN F1 FOR 2019
FRONT WING
A wider, higher and much simplified front wing, which reduces air turbulence and allows cars to travel closer together, increasing the possibility of overtaking.
The wing’s width is increased by 200mm, its height by 20mm, and it’s moved forward by 25mm.
NEW BARGE BOARDS
The barge boards at the side of the cars have been made smaller. Like the front wing, the idea is to reduce the amount of dirty air created for the cars behind.
The barge boards are reduced in height by 150mm, and moved forward by 100mm.
NEW REAR WING
The rear wings are higher, wider, and simpler. Just as with the front wing and barge boards, aerodynamics have been reduced, meaning the cars will also become slower in the corners.
The height has been raised up by 20mm and the width by 100mm. The DRS opening has been increased 20mm to give more power when overtaking.
The rear wings also have lights that are illuminated in poor conditions.
BIOMETRIC GLOVES
Drivers are required to wear biometric gloves which have sensors which feed information back to the FIA.
The gloves monitor the driver’s pulse rate and the oxygen levels in his blood to help the medical team before, during and after a crash.
INCREASED FUEL ALLOWANCE
Drivers may use up to 110kg of fuel — previously 105kg — in the race. This allows drivers to use their engines at full power for longer periods.
Again, this has been introduced to improve the racing and allow drivers to fight for positions at the end of the race.
REDUCED TYRE COLOURS
The rainbow of tyre colours used in 2018 have been ditched in favour of three colours; white (hard), yellow (medium) and red (soft).
INCREASED WEIGHT
The minimum weight of the car, without fuel, has gone up from 733kg to 740kg. More importantly, 80kg of that must be made up of the driver, his seat and driving equipment.
Lighter drivers can bring themselves up to the 80kg threshold by adding ballast which can be put in his cockpit.
BONUS POINT
One point will be awarded to the driver who achieves the fastest lap in a race, provided that driver is also classified in the top 10.
A point will also be awarded to the constructor of the driver setting the fastest lap.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
