PRESS Ecclestone orders changes to Australian GP

ECCLESTONE ORDERS CHANGES TO AUSTRALIAN GP Melbourne,  November  18th,
2003:  Mr  Bernie  Ecclestone,  Chairman  of Formula  One  Management,
announced  today  that  major  changes  to  the format of the
Australian Grand Prix would be possible following the result of
decisions  taken  at  a  recent  meeting  of  Formula  One  promoters
and ratified by the F1 Commission.   Mr Ecclestone said the F1
Commission had approved an increase to the pit lane speed limit. The
limit, raised to 100kmh, will apply to all FIA Formula One World
Championship venues from the beginning of 2004. In   addition,
Melbourne’s  Australian  Grand   Prix   circuit   has   now   been
instructed to straighten, and thus substantially shorten, its pit lane
entry – a move that will make its event a three-pitstop race for
competitors. Mr Ecclestone also revealed that investigations were
underway by Formula One Management (FOM) and the world governing body
of motor sport, the Federation   Internationale   de  l’Automobile
(FIA)  that   will  allow   faster refuelling of F1 cars during pit
stops. It is anticipated that the changes to Melbourne’s pit entry and
the increase in  the  pit  lane  speed  will  cut  three  to  five
seconds off  the  length of  pit stops. Quicker  refuelling  could
increase  the  emphasis  on  team  strategy  that plays  such  a
crucial  and  exciting  role  in  Grand  Prix  racing  today.  Time
saving  tactics  such  as  faster  refuelling  stops  will  heighten
the  strategic battle  between  the  leading  teams  such  as
Ferrari,  Williams,  McLaren, Renault and Jaguar – and the world’s top
drivers, including six-time world champion  Michael  Schumacher,  Juan
Pablo  Montoya,  Kimi   Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and Australian star
Mark Webber. Traditionally the leading drivers and teams have made
only two pit stops during the Australian GP. The changes announced
toady could put this up to three further adding to the excitement and
drama of the race. The FIA and its Australian affiliate, the
Confederation of Australian Motor Sport, have approved the changes to
the track layout. Mr Ecclestone said new F1 rules introduced in 2003
had already made the sport  much  more  competitive  and  exciting  to
the  fans  and  millions  of television  viewers  around  the  world.
He  added  that  the  latest  moves demonstrated an on-going
commitment to exciting racing. 
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([:]) by Kimbo!   www.foca.co.uk

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