Chequered flag at the end of races
The 2019 regulations saw the chequered flag replaced by a chequered light panel as the official signal marking the end of the race.The flag was still seen last year, Jean Alesi most famously flying it for Charles Leclerc’s victory at Monza. But a glitch at the Japanese Grand Prix saw the chequered panel illuminate a lap before the end of the race, causing the official results to be counted from there – hence the revision back to the good old-fashioned flag as the official race-ender for 2020.
Less testing
For 2020, pre-season testing has been reduced from eight days of running to six, with the two three-day tests due to take place at Spain's Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 19-21 and February 26-28.Longer curfew
There’s good news for mechanics in the 2020 regulations, who’ll be able to enjoy a (theoretical) extra hour in bed on the Thursday and Friday of race weekends, thanks to the mandatory curfew – during which time teams’ mechanics are forbidden from working on their cars, or even being within the confines of the circuit – being extended from eight hours to nine. Teams are allowed to break the curfew twice in one season without receiving a penalty.‘Shark fins’
With a look ahead to a design feature that could be on the 2021 cars, for 2020, teams will all have to create a small plate on the engine cover of their cars – similar to McLaren’s early-2019 wedge on the MCL34 – with this ‘shark fin’ set to house the drivers’ numbers, making it easier for fans to distinguish between each team's two machines. There will be very little aerodynamic impact on the cars, mind (except a very mild one during cornering), so don’t expect this rule change to decide any championships!No screens for testing
Traditionally used by teams at testing to keep their shiny new bits under wraps, for 2020 screens at the pre-season tests will be outlawed when the track is live (from 0900 to 1800) to improve the spectacle for fans. Teams will, however, be able to cover up when their car’s floor is not fitted, or if their car is being recovered after stopping out on track.Restriction on metal in the front wing
No one likes to see a small tag from one car's front wing to another's rear wheel result in a puncture (not least the puncturee...), so to try and limit the risk the rules now dictate that the first 50mm of front wing endplates have to be made purely of carbon fibre. Any metal elements - like fasteners or inserts used to attach the front wing - are only allowed 30mm back from the leading edge of the endplate.Brake ducts are now ‘Listed Parts’
The air ducts used to cool the brakes are now categorised as ‘Listed Parts’, meaning they’ll need to be designed by the teams themselves, rather than bought in from another company or team. Other Listed Parts include: the car’s bodywork, roll structures, front impact structures and the survival cell.Less electronic meddling in the starts
2020 will see the drivers given even more control over their starts, with 90% of the engine’s torque being controlled directly by the driver’s command on their clutch paddle or paddles (which the rules also now stipulate need to be “pull-type” paddles).Less fuel outside the tank
The 2020 Technical Regulations limit the amount of fuel allowed to course around the car outside of the fuel survival cell to just 250ml – down from two litres in 2019 – all of which should be used for “the normal running of the engine”, according to the regs. That’s to deter teams from seeking any potential benefit to be had from keeping large amounts of fuel outside of the tank.
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