New F1 regulations for 1995 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 'plank' stays. Even though the cars now have a 'stepped' bottom, it is
still in force to ensure a minimum ride height. The new dimensions of the car
are not taken from ground level, but now instead from a reference point - the
stepped bottom of the monocoque, which is (or should be) 50mm from the ground. 

The engine size is of course 3.0l, as opposed to last years 3.5l. Guesses at
reduction in engine power would be a loss of about 100bhp from the 600plus
that they had last year. 

No limits are now in force for fuel tank volumes. This gives designers more
ability to design the car around a smaller fuel tank that would not last a
whole race. This lets the driver move back a bit, and the engine to come
forward slightly, improving both safety and car balance. 

More stringent crash testing of monocoques. New this year are some side impact
tests at the footwell, the fuel tank, and the side of the driver cockpit. The
last one used to be at the base of the monocoque - now it is higher up.
(where it counts). 

A new simulated crash test to ensure that the front suspension separates from
the monocoque without any subsequent damage to the chassis. (Dimension changes
are to reduce available downforce and to improve driver cockpit safety.
Reference Point is 50mm above ground. The only thing below this line is the
plank. ) 

Rear wing height is lower. Last year was 960mm above ground, this year is
800mm above R.P.  

Rollbar height remains unchanged. (950mm above RP, last year was 1000mm above
ground.) 

Top of cockpit sides are 550mm above RP. Last year was lower by about 150mm.
This brings the sides up to the base of the helmet, whereas last year you
could just see the drivers shoulders. 

Maximum front wing height is now 250mm above RP. 

Width of the cockpit opening has been reduced by 30mm to reduce body movement. 

Front of opening has been moved forward by 50mm and is now rounded, to reduce
the likelyhood of possible head strikes. 

There now must be 750mm between the front axle line and the cockpit opening. 

The front of the monocoque itself is now 300mm forward of the front axle
centre line. Last year was 150mm. 

The foam headrest has new larger dimensions, and must be made of a FIA
specified material. 

The undertray remains flat to the front of the rear tyres, with an exception
of the centre 300mm of the undertray being flat to the rear axle line. 

An area behind the rear wheels is forbidden to have air extraction aids. The
'diffusers' are now going to be much narrower. 

An area around the front tyres is forbidden to have aerodynamic aids. This
will kill the big front wing 'add ons' that we saw a year ago, although those
really stopped with the rule in the middle of last year that prevented front
wings coming back past the front of the front tyre. 

There is an area above (and containing) the side pods that is forbidden to
have aerodynamic aids. The area extends from the rear of the rear wheel line
to about the rear of the cockpit opening... its height is about that of the
drivers eyes. (600mm above RP) The article I have in front of me then just
confuses the issue here by saying "However, small wings or deflectors are
still allowed ahead of the rear axle line, but must not exceed 600mm above
the chassis RP." 


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: rec.autos.sport.f1 & Benjamin Junior
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
