The rules for 2009

Every year the bosses of Formula One change some of the sport's rules to try to make the racing more exciting.

For 2009 there are some pretty major changes. Here are some of the biggest...

Top F1 driver Sebastien Vettel explains the 2009 rule changes

Kers

This stands for Kinetic Energy Recovery System. It's a bit complicated, but it could make races more exciting as it will give drivers a boost of extra power once a lap.

It stores up energy the cars generate when they brake, and then turns that into a boost of extra power.

The drivers can then pick when they want to use the boost. It's hoped it will improve the chances of overtaking.

Tyres

The 2009 season sees a return for a type of tyre called slicks.

They give the drivers much more grip, so make it easier to control the cars. In 1998 slicks were binned by bosses to try to slow the cars down.

So why have they been brought back this year? Keep reading...

Aerodynamic changes

Cars in 2009 look very different to previous seasons. The wings at the front of the car are wider and lower, and the wing at the back is higher and narrower.

The changes will make it a bit harder for the drivers to control the cars.

The idea is to change the way air flows over a car. In the past air would flow off the back of a car when it was moving quickly and interfere with the one behind.

That made it really hard to control a car if a driver was right behind another one.

Experts hope the changes will make it easier for two cars to drive very close together, making for more overtaking.

Engines

The engines are slightly less powerful than last season, and teams are only allowed to use eight all season.

Last season an engine had to be used for two races or a team was punished. This season some engines may have to last three races or more!