JUNE 28, 2001

FIA introduce new spare car rule

FORMULA ONE's governing body, the FIA, on Wednesday announced that a new ruling over the changing of cars before a Grand Prix will be introduced with immediate effect.

The FIA's World Motor Sport Council met in Paris on Wednesday and confirmed that if a driver wishes to change cars before a Grand Prix he must do so before the 15-second signal, which proceeds the start of a formation lap.

That means if a driver's car fails on the grid before a formation lap he will not be permitted to change to his team's spare car and start from the back of the field or the pitlane, as has happened in the past.

The FIA passed the ruling after getting unanimous agreement from the competing teams, and it will be in effect when the drivers line-up on the grid at Magny Cours for this weekend's French Grand Prix.

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