Changes for 2013

The 2012 Formula One season may only be at its half way point, but changes for the 2013 season have already been formally discussed.

The development race in Formula One is what wins and loses teams championships, but just as one team discovers a loop hole in the regulations, Formula One's governing body the FIA will move to close it.

We have already seen this on multiple occasions with Red Bull this season, who have bent the rules on a number of occasions in regards to engine mapping, flooring and front suspension.

They have worked within the regulations at the time, but arguably not the spirit of the rules, but as soon as, for example the engine mapping was clarified, the regulations were tightened and the bending of the rules ended.

It was a similar situation at the start of the season when Mercedes developed a double DRS system, which caught the other teams by surprise.

Mercedes appeared to have an early season advantage in straight-line speed at least and many teams complained about the device on multiple occasions.

Eventually the Mercedes system was deemed legal, but from 2013 the device will be banned following a meeting of the Technical Working Group.

The mid-season test session has also been scrapped. Mid season testing was previously banned in Formula One, but was brought back this season, with the teams running at Ferrari's Mugello circuit.

As the results of the test proved to be limited, teams have decided against having a pre-season test session in 2013 as an easy way of cutting costs, with teams limited to the winter tests at Jerez and Barcelona in February and March.