14. WHAT IS A GRADE 1 CIRCUIT?
Each circuit must be homologated by the FIA following a series of inspections. The homologation criteria are less strict for circuits hosting events for slower formulae which hold Grades from 2 to 5. In addition to the initial procedure, the circuits frequently have to carry out maintenance work or update their facilities so that their homologation may be renewed. In the past, with the exception of the Monaco Grand Prix, which is the only Formula One event to take place within a town itself, circuits tended to be very fast with long straights.

Increases in the car performance have meant that these straights have had to give way to series of bends, in order to prevent excessive speeds. Similarly, very long tracks, like the old Nürburgring (22.835 km), had to be abandoned, since the costs involved in providing the safety facilities and personnel required by the regulations together with the technical facilities necessary for television broadcasting were too great. Monaco is now the shortest circuit (3.370 km), whilst Spa is the longest (6.968 km).

15. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE “CONSTRUCTOR” OF A FORMULA ONE CAR?
A Formula One constructor is the chassis manufacturer. This is often not the same as the engine manufacturer. In the event of winning the Constructors' World Championship, the title is awarded to the chassis manufacturer.

16. WHAT CRITERIA MUST A CAR CONSTRUCTOR MEET TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE?
A constructor who wishes to enter the Formula One World Championship must submit his entry to the FIA, and provide evidence that he both designs and makes the chassis of his car and that he has sufficient technical and financial resources to take part in the Championship. The number of teams is now limited to 12, each with 2 cars.

17. DOES EACH CONSTRUCTOR HAVE TO COMPETE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON?
Yes. Any constructor who fails to turn up at an event may be fined several hundred thousand dollars. A constructor may not join the championship during the season.

18. CAN ANY DRIVER COMPETE IN A GRAND PRIX?
No. In order to be able to take part in a Grand Prix, a driver must hold a “Super Licence”, which is awarded by the FIA on the basis of his past record in junior formulae and of his having a valid contract with a Formula One team which has entered the World Championship.

19. ARE THE TEAMS ALLOWED TO CHANGE DRIVER DURING THE SEASON?
Yes, each team may change the driver of its first car once in the season. For the second car,a maximum of three drivers may take turns, without restriction, during any one season. This excludes cases of exceptional circumstances, which are considered separately. Notification of a change of driver must be made before 16:00 on the Thursday (Wednesday for Monaco) of the Grand Prix. After that deadline, a driver change may only take place with the consent of the stewards.

20. DO THE DRIVERS KEEP THE SAME RACE NUMBER THROUGHOUT THE SEASON?
Yes, provided they stay with the same team, as the numbers are attributed to the constructors, not the drivers. The only exception is the reigning World Champion, who is always allocated number 1 (even if he changes team), and his team mate who is given number 2.

21. IS THE NUMBER OF LAPS DURING THE PRACTICE SESSIONS FREE?
For qualifying practice only, a maximum of 12 laps is allowed and any driver running over the maximum of 12 laps will have all his qualifying times cancelled. However, at the discretion of the Stewards, he may be allowed to start the race from the back of the grid.

22. HOW DO DRIVERS QUALIFY FOR A RACE?
Qualifying practice is on Saturday, from 1 pm to 2 pm. In order to qualify for the race, a driver must set a time within 107% of the fastest time.

23. WHAT IS THE WARM-UP?
The warm-up is a free practice session which takes place on the morning of the race and lasts for half an hour. Only drivers who have qualified may take part. It begins four and a half hours before the start of the race. The warm-up enables the teams to check the cars in their race configuration.

24. CAN THE DRIVERS CHANGE CARS DURING THE EVENT?
Each two-car team may use a maximum of two cars during free practice, and a maximum of three cars for qualifying practice, provided that all the cars have been checked by the Scrutineers and are of the same make (chassis and engine). However, no change of car is permitted after the 15 seconds signal preceding the start of the formation lap.

Nevertheless, if the race has to be stopped before two laps have been completed by the leader, the starting procedure is repeated and starts again from the T-15 point (see 60 below). Once again car changes are permitted until the 15 seconds signal which precedes the start of the new formation lap.

25. HOW IS THE STARTING GRID ARRANGED?
The starting grid consists of two cars per row in staggered formation, with an interval of eight metres between each row. The driver who set the fastest time will start from the front in the so-called "pole position", and the others will line up on the grid in the order of the times they have achieved. In the event of a tie, the driver who achieved the time first is given priority.

26. DO THE CONSTRUCTORS DESIGN SPECIAL CARS FOR THE QUALIFYING SESSION?
Special cars as such are not built for qualifying, but special engines, special set-ups and significant modifications are made for qualifying practice.

27. HOW LONG DOES A GRAND PRIX LAST?
The distance of a Grand Prix is the least number of laps which exceeds 305 km, but no race may last for more than two hours. On certain slower circuits (such as Monaco), in the event of rain, the Clerk of the Course is sometimes obliged to stop the race after two hours.

28. DOES A GRAND PRIX ALWAYS START, RAIN OR SHINE?
Yes, a Formula One Grand Prix takes place in all weather conditions, and the tyre manufacturers have developed special treaded tyres, which help to avoid the risk of aquaplaning. Nevertheless, the Race Director has the power to delay the start or to stop the race, if this becomes necessary for safety reasons.

Apart from grip, the greatest problem in the event of rain is visibility, which is significantly reduced due to the spray thrown up by the cars' tyres. In order to help counteract this problem, the cars are equipped with a flashing red light at the rear which must be illuminated at all times when the car is running on wet weather tyres.

29. HOW POWERFUL ARE FORMULA ONE ENGINES?
Even though the constructors never divulge exact details of their engine power, the maximum is known to approach 900 horsepower in some cases. Manufacturers of engines claim that maximum power is not always the most important factor. Having power available at lower engine speeds is often of equal importance, especially in slow corners.

30. WHAT SPEEDS DO FORMULA ONE CARS REACH?
The Grand Prix with the highest average speed in history was the 1971 Italian Grand Prix, won by Peter Gethin in a BRM at an average speed of 242.615 kph (150.754 mph) on the Monza circuit which at the time did not have any chicanes (interestingly, a recent computer simulation suggested that current Formula One cars would achieve an average speed of well over 300 kph - 190 mph - on the original circuit). In 2001, the fastest Grand Prix was the Italian Grand Prix, won by Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams) at an average of 239.103 kph (148.571 mph). The highest straight line speed recorded during a Grand Prix in the 2001 season was set by Jean Alesi (Jordan), at 363.2 kph (225.7mph), during the Italian Grand Prix.

31. ARE THE CARS CURRENTLY USED FASTER THAN THE CARS OF THE "TURBO" ERA?
If a 1.5-litre turbocharged car were produced today, as was the case up until 1988, it would be faster than the contemporary 3-litre cars. However, contemporary cars benefit from significant technological progress, allowing them to exceed the speeds of the 1988 turbocharged models, despite the fact that these were able to rely on over 1200 horsepower in qualifying.

32. CAN A FORMULA ONE CAR RACE WITHOUT SUSPENSION?
No. The regulations stipulate genuine suspension. For example, the fitting of rubber blocks is not sufficient. However, the current cars have very little suspension travel, in order to restrict changes in trim which would influence the effectiveness of the aerodynamic devices.

33. WHY DO THE REGULATIONS REQUIRE THE CARS TO HAVE FLAT LOWER SURFACES?
It became evident that significant downforce could be achieved by fitting inverted aeroplane wings underneath the car. In order to reduce downforce (the so-called "ground effect"), and thus reduce cornering speed, the FIA made it obligatory for each car to have a flat lower surface between the rear wheel centre line and the rear of the front wheels. The constructors have nevertheless managed to optimise the behaviour of the aerofoils and aerodynamic extractors situated behind the gear box, to such an extent that a current Formula One car is capable of sustaining lateral accelerations of up to 5G, whereas a good
road car achieves about 1G.

34. ARE FORMULA ONE CARS FITTED WITH A STARTER?
Starters have not been obligatory for several years and teams do not fit them in order to save weight. They are permitted to use a portable starter in front of their pits and on the starting grid, but if a driver stalls on the circuit during the race, he has to retire, even if the car restarts once the marshals have pushed it away from a dangerous position. However, all cars are fitted with sophisticated electronically controlled anti-stall systems.

35. DO FORMULA ONE CARS HAVE AUTOMATIC GEARBOXES?
Yes, in most cases.

36. HOW MANY GEAR RATIOS DO FORMULA ONE CARS HAVE?
The rapid changes possible with automatic and semi-automatic gearboxes mean that most transmissions are fitted with seven gears, the maximum permitted by the Technical Regulations. A reverse gear is also compulsory. It may not be used in the pit-lane.

37. DO FORMULA ONE CARS HAVE BETTER BRAKES THAN SERIES PRODUCED CARS?
The brakes on series-produced cars are derived from the disc brakes which were first used in racing. All Formula One cars are equipped with brakes with callipers made from light alloy while the discs and pads tend to be made from synthetic materials, e.g. carbon. Their resistance to heat is much greater than that of series-produced brakes (which is why, in certain conditions, the insides of the wheels appear completely incandescent) and they weigh significantly less. Their braking power is very high: at the end of a straight, at maximum speed (around 340 kph - 212.5 mph), a Formula One car can brake at less than
100 metres in order to take a slow corner.

38. IS A SPECIAL TYPE OF FUEL USED IN FORMULA ONE?
In general, the fuel used by Formula One cars is not yet available from petrol pumps. However, the oil companies are now developing fuels for Formula One which could be commercialised, and which probably will be in the future. Thus Formula One serves as a laboratory, which will ultimately be of benefit to the ordinary motor car (see also question 42). Unleaded very low sulphur ("green") fuel is used which already complies with the EC standards which will come into force in 2005 for everyday use.

39. HOW MANY TYRES ARE PERMITTED PER CAR AT EACH GRAND PRIX?
The regulations stipulate that each driver may use a maximum of 40 dry-weather tyres (12 of which may not be used after the first day of practice) and 28 wet-weather tyres throughout the duration of the event. Moreover, each driver may use a maximum of two rubber specifications for his dry-weather tyres during free practice, but he must then choose the rubber specification he wishes to use for the rest of the event before the start of qualifying practice. Every single tyre used at a Grand Prix incorporates an FIA-supplied bar-code so that the scrutineers can check that no driver exceeds the maximum number of tyres allowed.

40. HOW IS THE TYPE OF RUBBER SELECTED?
A hard or softer type of rubber is selected on the basis of the driver's style, the design of the car, the atmospheric temperature and the lay-out of the circuit. In general, the slower the circuit and the cooler the temperature, the softer the rubber, allowing greater grip. On the other hand, high speeds, together with a highly abrasive track wear the tyres down more quickly. The team and the driver must therefore strike a balance between various options, i.e. whether to mount harder tyres which may grip less well but permit fewer pit-stops, or whether to use softer tyres which will have to be changed several times during the race.

A judicious choice sometimes enables one of the slower cars to win a Grand Prix. Tyre changes have become a part of the Formula One racing, and the better trained teams usually manage to change all four tyres and refuel in the space of 5 to 10 seconds, depending on the quantity of fuel they want to put in the tank.

41. ARE THE CARS CHECKED DURING THE EVENT?
The day before practice begins, the scrutineers carry out a tour of the garages, checking that all the cars comply with the regulations. In addition to this, spot checks are carried out and all the cars, which finish the race, are checked in the parc fermé once they have crossed the finish line. Any car which does not comply with the technical regulations is normally excluded. However, the final decision rests with the Stewards.

42. HOW ARE THE FUEL CHECKS CARRIED OUT?
At the start of the season, each team entered in the Championship must provide a sample of 10 litres of each petrol it wishes to use. Each sample is analysed by a specialised laboratory, to check that it is in conformity with the Technical Regulations and is a genuine commercial fuel (see also question 38).

If the sample is approved, a so-called "fingerprint" of the fuel is taken by the FIA. At the events, the FIA Technical Delegate, takes samples of petrol from cars during the practice sessions or after the race. Using gas chromatography and a device for measuring the density of the fuel, these samples are analysed immediately, to check that their fingerprints are identical to those previously approved by the FIA. A team may change the petrol it uses several times during the season, but it must have submitted a sample to the FIA and receive approval in each case.

43. ARE SUCH THINGS AS ABS BRAKES, STABILITY CONTROL OR FOUR WHEEL STEERING ALLOWED IN FORMULA ONE?
No, as a general rule driving aids of this kind are prohibited.

44. BUT THESE ARE COMMONPLACE ON ROAD CARS?
Yes, but Formula One is a contest between drivers. Although the cars are built to the extremes of technology, it is felt the drivers should exploit them with minimal aid from onboard computers. Otherwise much of the skill of the drivers would become unnecessary and the sport would lose its human aspect.

45. HOW CAN THE FIA CHECK? HOW CAN PROHIBITED ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS BE DETECTED?
As all electronic control of braking, steering and suspension is now prohibited this is now done largely by inspection of hardware, as opposed to the examination of control software which was carried out previously. The FIA however continues to monitor software where appropriate.

46. WHAT ROLE DOES THE TECHNICAL DELEGATE PLAY?
The FIA Technical Delegate is the "policeman" and heads the team of scrutineers responsible for checking that the cars comply with the Technical Regulations. If he finds that a car does not comply, he submits a report to the Stewards, but does not have the power to disqualify or penalise a car himself.

47. WHO ARE THE STEWARDS AND WHAT ARE THEIR POWERS?
The three Stewards are the judges, or the referees, of an event. They examine the reports submitted by the various officials and, once they have heard the explanations and defence of all the parties concerned, decide on any sanctions. In order to ensure sporting equity, the Stewards vary from one event to another; two of them are nominated by the FIA and the third by the National Sporting Authority of the country in which the event takes place. The Stewards appointed by the FIA are of a different nationality from the country of the event. They may impose the sanctions set out in the International Sporting Code and, if they deem it necessary, they may request that a team or driver be summoned before the World Motor Sport Council.

48. WHAT TYPES OF SANCTIONS MAY BE IMPOSED?
The sanctions set out in the International Sporting Code range from a reprimand to a life ban, and include fines, exclusion, suspension for one or more races, and even the withdrawal of Championship points. Stewards can also impose a time penalty, including cancelling times set in qualifying. A new penalty consisting in moving back 10 places on the starting grid from his actual qualifying position at the following Grand Prix, may also be imposed on a driver who was responsible for an incident.

49. WHAT IS A "TIME PENALTY"?
During the race the Stewards may impose one of two time penalties on a driver, a “drive through” or a ten second “stop-and-go”. In the first case the driver must enter the pits and drive straight through and out on to the track again; in the second, stop and remain in his pit for ten seconds. Such penalties result in a greater loss of time, because of the time taken to return to the pit and to leave it again. Depending on the circuit, this can result in a total time loss of up to 40 seconds. If the time penalty is imposed during the last five laps of a race, 25 seconds will be added to the race time of the driver concerned, who does not then enter the pits.

50. ARE THE STEWARDS' DECISIONS FINAL?
Time penalties are, of course, final, but otherwise, a competitor who feels that he has been unfairly penalised by a Stewards' decision may appeal against this decision before the FIA International Court of Appeal. He must declare his intention to do so within one hour of being notified of the Stewards' decision. Similarly, the FIA has the right to refer a decision of the Stewards to the International Court of Appeal, if it believes that the Stewards have misjudged or inappropriately penalised the matter.

51. WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF APPEAL?
It is the final and highest recourse in motor sport, and is, in a way, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's very own "Supreme Court”. The International Court of Appeal is independent of the Sport, and its fifteen members, each have a three-year mandate. They are elected by the FIA General Assembly from amongst eminent judges and lawyers (some of
whom are Supreme Court judges in their own country). At least three judges must be present, none of whom may be of the same nationality as any of the parties.

52. WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE CLERK OF THE COURSE AND THE RACE DIRECTOR?
The Clerk of the Course, who is nominated by the National Sporting Authority, is responsible for the co-ordination of the officials and track marshals at the Grand Prix. The Clerk of the Course works closely with, and under the authority of, the Race Director, who is nominated by the FIA. The same Race Director officiates at all the Grands Prix in the Championship. The Race Director currently also acts as Safety Delegate and Official Starter. It is normally the Clerk of the Course who waves the traditional chequered flag at the end of the race.

53. HOW IS THE RACE STARTED?
a. Half an hour before the start of the formation lap, the cars may leave the pit lane. The drivers may cover more than one lap if they wish, but to do this they must pass through the pit lane at greatly reduced speed. They come to a standstill on the starting grid with their engines stopped.

b. Fifteen minutes before the start, the pit lane exit is closed and any driver who is not yet on the track has to start from the pit lane exit, after all the other competitors have gone past at the start of the race.

c. Five minutes before the start, access to the grid is closed and any driver who is delayed on the circuit has to start from the pit lane exit. His vacant position is not filled on the grid.
d. One minute before the start, engines are started.

e. Fifteen seconds before the start, all mechanics must have left the grid.

f. When the green lights come on, the drivers begin the formation lap. When they come back to the grid, they keep their engines running.

g. Once all the cars have come to a halt in their starting positions, the starter activates the automatic pre-programmed final start procedure: five lights turn red one after the other at one-second intervals until all five lights are lit. The start signal is the extinction of all the lights at once. This occurs between 0.2 and 3 seconds after the last red light has been lit. This lapse of time is pre-programmed by the starter at each race, but kept secret.

If a driver is delayed during the formation lap and cannot reach the grid and stop before the last light is illuminated, he must start from the pit lane. Any car which is temporarily delayed during the formation lap can regain its position provided it does so before the "pole position" car has taken up its position on the grid (see question 55below).

54. HOW ARE FALSE STARTS DETECTED?
Each position on the grid is equipped with electronic sensors. These transmit a signal to a central unit located in the control tower if any car moves before the start signal has been given. The Stewards will usually inflict a time penalty on a driver who jumps the start.

55. WHAT HAPPENS IF A DRIVER STALLS ON THE STARTING GRID?
There are three distinct scenarios:
a. If a driver stalls whilst the green lights are on (indicating the start of the formation lap), his mechanics are allowed to push the car to start it as soon as all the competitors have left the grid. He is not permitted to overtake during the formation lap and must start from the back of the grid. However, a driver who has difficulty starting his car but who manages to leave before the last car has crossed the start/finish line is allowed to overtake during the formation lap and take up his original position on the grid. If he does not manage to start his car within 30 seconds after the green light, his car will be pushed into the pitlane and may start from there.

b. If a driver stalls on the grid after completion of the formation lap, but before the race has started (i.e. before all the lights are extinguished), he must raise his arm to notify the starter, who aborts the start and turns on flashing yellow lights. The procedure begins again from the "5-minute" board. In order to compensate for the additional formation lap, the race is reduced by one lap. The driver responsible for the false start must then start
from the back of the grid.

c. If a driver stalls after the race has started, so that it is too late for the starting
procedure to be interrupted, the marshals will push his car to the pit lane once all the competitors have left the grid. If the driver is then able to start his engine, he may rejoin the race. Otherwise, he is pushed back to his pit where his mechanics will take over.

56. WHAT PROCEDURE IS FOLLOWED IF MORE THAN ONE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO START OF THE FORMATION LAP?
If more than one driver is stationary and unable to start the formation lap when the remaining cars have crossed the line (normally as a result of mechanical problems or a stalled engine), they must all start from the back of the grid (provided, of course, their mechanics are able to rectify the problem in time) in the order they left to start their formation lap.

57. ARE THERE SPECIAL STARTING PROCEDURES IN THE EVENT OF RAIN?
In the event of rain, the regulations provide for different possibilities, depending on the circumstances:
1. If the rain is such that, in the opinion of the Race Director, it would be dangerous to start the race with the normal procedure, it is possible to start behind the Safety Car. In this case, the revolving yellow lights on the Safety Car, which is positioned at the front of the starting grid, are switched on no later than the one-minute signal. This indicates to the drivers that the race will be started behind the Safety Car. After the green light, the Safety Car leaves the grid followed by all the other cars. The race is deemed to have started and there is no formation lap. Until the Safety Car has returned to the pit lane (see 62), overtaking is only permitted in order to pass a car which remainson the grid, or
in order to retain a grid position (provided the overtaking car left the grid before the last car crossed the Line).

2. If it starts to rain after the 5-minute signal but before the start of the race, the
procedure may be interrupted and recommenced at the 15-minute point.

3. If the start of the race is imminent and a particularly heavy shower begins, and the volume of water on the track is such that it cannot be negotiated safely, the procedure may be interrupted by the Race Director, who will order a "10" board with a red background to be shown. This indicates that the start has been aborted and that there will be a delay of at least 10 minutes before the procedure is resumed. If weather conditions have improved at the end of the ten-minute period, a "10" board with a green background will be shown, indicating
that the start of the formation lap will be given 10 minutes later.

If however, the weather conditions have not improved within ten minutes, the "10" board with the red background is shown again, indicating a further delay of ten minutes. This procedure may be repeated several times, but it is not necessary to wait for the end of the 10 minutes to show the green board.

58. CAN THE RACE BE STOPPED?
Yes, the FIA Race Director may interrupt the race at any time in the interests of safety, or if the circuit is blocked. This is done by ordering red flags to be shown around the entire the track.

59. WHAT PROCEDURES APPLY WHEN THE RACE IS STOPPED?
In the event of this happening, there are three possibilities, depending on the number of laps completed by the race leader:
A. Less than two laps completed;
B. Two or more laps completed, but less than 75% of the total distance of the race.
C. 75% or more of the total race distance completed.
In case A, typically when a major accident occurs during the start and blocks the circuit, the first start is considered null and void and a new start is given twenty minutes later. In case B, the race is considered to be in two parts. Provided safety conditions permit, there is a second start twenty minutes later, with the grid determined by the classification of the penultimate lap before the signal to stop the race (red flag) was given. If a second start cannot be given, the classification of the race will be that of the penultimate lap preceding the signal to stop the race and only half the points will be awarded.

In case C, the race will be considered as finished, and full points will be awarded on the basis of the classification of the penultimate lap preceding the signal to stop the race.

60. IS THE RACE STOPPED IN CASE OF RAIN?
No, normally the race is not stopped if it starts to rain. It is up to the drivers and teams to decide whether they want to stop at their pit to change tyres or continue with the dry-weather tyres.

However, if the conditions are such that driving at racing speed would constitute a serious danger, the Race Director may order the use of the Safety Car (in which case the normal Safety Car procedure would apply - see 57 above and 62 to 64 below). If the conditions are so extreme that to carry on driving would be dangerous even behind the Safety Car, the race would be stopped.

61. WHEN IS THE SAFETY CAR USED?
The purpose of the Safety Car is to neutralise the race in the event of an accident or other incident which exposes competitors or officials to immediate physical danger. It may also be used in the event of a very heavy and sudden shower (see 57 above). The Safety Car slows the racing cars so that they do not endanger emergency teams working on or near the track, and are not at risk from slow moving vehicles, such as ambulances.

62. WHAT IS THE SAFETY CAR PROCEDURE?
The Clerk of the Course (under the direction of the FIA Race Director) dispatches the Safety Car. When the Safety Car is in use, and as soon as it leaves the pit lane, a waved yellow flag together with the "SC" board is shown at all the track marshals' posts. Overtaking is prohibited, the cars must reduce their speed and line up behind the Safety Car in the order they were on the track when the signal was shown. Once the cars are lined up behind the Safety Car in race order and as soon as circuit (or weather) conditions permit, it will
extinguish its revolving lights and return to the pit lane to indicate that the race will start again when the cars next cross the line.

63. DO THE LAPS COVERED BEHIND THE SAFETY CAR COUNT?
Yes, all the laps covered behind the Safety Car count as part of the total race distance.

64. MAY A CAR STOP AT ITS PIT WHILST THE SAFETY CAR IS ON THE TRACK?
Yes, but it may only rejoin the track when the green light is on in the pit lane. It will be on at all times except when the Safety Car and the line of cars following it are about to pass or are passing the pit exit. A car rejoining the track must proceed at reduced speed until it reaches the end of the line of cars behind the Safety Car. It may not overtake. Thus, a car which makes a pit stop in such circumstances will lose its position and rejoin the race at the back of the field, (but not necessarily in last place since there might be cars in the field which are one or more laps behind the car which made the pit stop).

65. IS REFUELLING ALLOWED DURING THE RACE?
Yes, but it must be carried out with the refuelling equipment specified by the FIA. The system is based on aviation equipment and complies with all the other safety requirements laid down by the FIA. Refuelling is not obligatory.

66. ARE THERE ANY SPEED LIMITS?
Strange though it may seem, yes, but only in the pit lane, where the speed limit is 60 kph (37.5 mph) during practice and 80 kph (50 mph) during the race (except Monaco – 60 kph at all times). Electronic devices check the speed of the cars along the whole of the pit lane. If a competitor exceeds the limit during the race, he is usually penalised with a time penalty (see 49 above); during practice, he is usually fined US$250 for each kph over the limit. However, as in everyday life, the severity of the punishment is proportional to the seriousness of the offence, and also takes repeat offences into account.

To avoid this, all the teams have equipped their cars with speed limiters which the driver activates (usually by pressing a button on the steering wheel) as soon as he enters the pit lane.

67. IN WHAT CONDITIONS ARE THE CARS WEIGHED?
The Scrutineers may weigh the cars at any time, to make sure that they never weigh less than 600 kg, including driver. A weighing device is located at the entrance to the pit lane to enable these checks to be carried out. During qualifying practice, a computer programme selects at random the cars which are to be checked. When a car is chosen, a red light comes on and the driver returning to his pit must proceed to the weighing area. If the weight of the car is less than the minimum required by the Technical Regulations, the driver could be excluded from the event, but he has the right to request that the car be weighed a second time. To avoid cheating, any car which breaks down on the circuit also has to pass in front of the computer which decides whether the car must be weighed in the same conditions. At the end of the race, all the cars are directed to the parc fermé where they are weighed; the drivers are also weighed before proceeding to the podium or to their motorhome. An underweight car will usually be excluded from the classification.

68. WHAT ARE THE FLAG SIGNALS?
In addition to the red flag, "stopping the race", and the chequered flag, "end of the race", there are other flags, each having a specific meaning. The blue flag during the race tells a driver he is about to be lapped and to let the other car overtake, on pain of a time penalty for obstruction.

The yellow flag indicates danger, and overtaking is prohibited. One waved yellow flag means slow down; two waved at the same post means slow down and prepare to stop if necessary. The green flag indicates the end of the danger and the ban on overtaking.

A flag with vertical red and yellow stripes warns the competitors that the track is slippery (usually oil), and a black flag with an orange disc accompanied by the number of a car warns the driver that his car has a mechanical problem and that he must go to his pit. A flag with a white triangle and a black triangle accompanied by the number of a car is a warning for unsporting behaviour.

The black flag, accompanied by the number of a car, summons the driver of such car to immediately return to his pit. This procedure is mostly used to notify a competitor of his exclusion from the race.

69. DOES THE CHEQUERED FLAG ALWAYS SIGNAL THE FINISH?
Yes, even if the chequered flag is waved too early, the race still ends when this signal is given. However, if the flag is waved too late the classification is that obtained at the end of the scheduled number of laps. Only cars which have covered 90% of the distance will be classified. A driver does not necessarily have still to be on the track to be classified, but if a car takes more than twice as long to complete its last lap as the fastest lap time achieved by the winner, this lap will not be taken into account.

70. IS PRIVATE TESTING ON CIRCUITS PERMITTED?
Yes, provided it is carried out on a circuit which the FIA has approved for Formula One use (see 14 above).