No more rule changes for 2003

It appears that there will be no more major changes to the rules for this year after a meeting between team bosses and the FIA prior to the San Marino Grand Prix. The meeting took place after the first three races of the season to see how the changes were affecting Formula One and what else might need to be done. However, aside from teams wanting to keep traction and launch control, it seems all are in agreement that things are going well.

"There is now a complete agreement to continue with the procedures we have adopted at the beginning of season and with the rules adopted at the end of last year," said FIA president Max Mosley. "Teams want to keep traction control and launch control and we don't want to. I hope they come to agree with us about that but as far as 2003 is concerned there are no more changes."

There is yet another meeting scheduled for the near future to discuss the use of traction and launch control -- which the FIA has delayed the ban on until 2004 -- and also two-way telemetry. Car to pit telemetry has already been outlawed but teams cite safety reasons for wanting a review of the rule.

The one-flying lap qualifying system appears to now be accepted, despite initial negative reaction to it. Bernie Ecclestone was determined to get rid of the new system, saying, as many have, that it was boring. However, the general consensus is that it makes things more interesting for the race even if qualifying is now no longer so exciting to watch.

Spare car rulings have been tweaked slightly; teams can use any two cars as long as the car that qualifies is the car that is in the race. If not, for example, if there is some problem between qualifying and race and a driver has to change to the spare, he will have to start from the pit lane. If an engine change is required, such as on Kimi Raikkonen's McLaren in Brazil, the driver will then have to start the race from the back of the grid.

There was no comment about the debate over the tyre rule that states only one type of wet weather tyre is permitted per race weekend. This caused consternation in Brazil when the complete downpour caused the race to be delayed and chaos ensued as teams had opted for intermediates. Teams want the rule changed to two wet tyre choices and no doubt the matter will be aired at the next meeting.