F1 2006 kicks off this weekend with the race in bahrain!

Also they have uploaded teh technical analysis of each teams car on the F1 Page, interesting looking at everyones different designs.
One interesting thing to know is that RED BULL (formerly known as) is still using last years v10 engine, however it is rev restricted and will be heavier than teh v8's. they are the only team that has chosen to use this option!

heres the new rules
Qualifying
For 2006, the single-lap system used in recent years is replaced be a new three-part, knockout format, with multiple cars on track throughout the qualifying hour, which is split into two 15-minute sessions and a final 20-minute session, with five-minute breaks in between.

Part one: All 22 cars may run laps at any time during the first 15 minutes of the hour. At the end of the first 15 minutes, the six slowest cars drop out and fill the final six grid places.

Part two: After a five-minute break, the times will be reset and the 16 remaining cars then will then run in a second 15-minute session - again they may complete as many laps as they want at any time during that period. At the end of the 15 minutes, the six slowest cars drop out and fill places 11 to 16 on the grid.

Part three: After another five-minute break, the times are reset and the final 20-minute session will feature a shootout between the remaining 10 cars to decide pole position and the starting order for the top 10 grid places. Again, these cars may run as many laps as they wish.

In the first two 15-minute sessions, cars may run any fuel load and drivers knocked out after those sessions may refuel ahead of the race. However, the top-ten drivers must begin the final 20-minute session with the fuel load on which they plan to start the race. They will be weighed before they leave the pits, and whatever fuel they use in the 20 minutes may be replaced at the end of the session.

If a driver is deemed to have stopped unnecessarily on the circuit or impeded another driver during the qualifying session, then his times will be cancelled.

Engines
For 2006, engines are reduced in size from the previous 3-litre V10s to 2.4-litre V8s. The aim is to reduce costs and improve safety. With similar engine speeds, the change is expected to cut peak power by around 200bhp, which in turn is likely to add around three to five seconds to lap times at most circuits. The FIA may allow some teams to use 2005-spec V10s if they do not have access to competitive V8. The FIA will enforce a rev limit on any V10s to ensure performance is comparable with that of a V8.

Tyres
After a season’s absence, tyre changes during races return to Formula One in 2006. The thinking behind this is that the reduced engine size will offset any performance gain. Drivers also have access to slightly more tyres than in 2005 - seven sets of dry-weather, four sets of wet-weather and three sets of extreme-weather. Drivers must make a final choice of dry-weather compound ahead of qualifying.

Weekend schedule
In a slight change to the Grand Prix weekend format, Saturday morning now features a single, one-hour practice session, as opposed to two, 45-minute sessions. It takes place between 1100 and 1200. Qualifying is an hour later than before, commencing at 1400.

Cant wait...YAWN

so its gonna be on tv i take it?

I hope not..its about as exciting as watching grass grow

I still don't agree that they make f1's less powerful, they're supposed to be the pinacle of racing. f**k wanker board of directors.

Starting to lose faith in F1 completely. Last season was great but now they go anf fit these rubbish engines in them???

"Hey - people are saying F1 is a bit boring"

"I've got it! Let's knock 200hp off the engines!"

YAWN f1 sucks

they just need to make the cars more even thats all

Cant wait its going to be an awesome season.

lets hope so!! come on WEBBER!

admittedly it is sad how they are stifling innovation - it is supposed to be the top of all racing AND development, not just another car race....

Live on Ch10 over here at 10:30 EST
Its going to be good!

Llooks liek Ferrari may be back in form after a ferrari front row in qualifying!
Mclaren are a bit down teh field but the field is spread pretty good so it should be a great race! Unfortunately Raikonnen suffered a RHR suspension failure during the first session of qualifying after setting teh fastest first sector time! Damn!

1 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:31.431
2 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:31.478
3 Jenson Button Honda 1:31.549
4 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:31.702
5 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 1:32.164
6 Rubens Barrichello Honda 1:32.579
7 Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth 1:33.006
8 Christian Klien RBR-Ferrari 1:33.112
9 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 1:33.496
10 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-BMW 1:33.926
11 Jacques Villeneuve Sauber-BMW 1:32.456*
12 Nico Rosberg Williams-Cosworth 1:32.620*
13 David Coulthard RBR-Ferrari 1:32.850*
14 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:33.066*
15 Vitantonio Liuzzi STR-Cosworth 1:33.416*
16 Scott Speed STR-Cosworth 1:34.606*
17 Ralf Schumacher Toyota 1:34.702**
18 Christijan Albers MF1-Toyota 1:35.724**
19 Tiago Monteiro MF1-Toyota 1:35.900**
20 Takuma Sato Super Aguri-Honda 1:37.411**
21 Yuji Ide Super Aguri-Honda 1:40.270**
22 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes

what a shame about Räikkönen! Mark Webber didn't do too bad. Lets hope Schumacher comes last

and how did you guys find the new qualifying procedure? cheers

good, rewards consistency!