There are not so many changes to the technical regulations for 2002 compared with 2000. Last year saw major modifications. Most of them concerned safety issues, but rules governing electronic driver aids (launch control, traction control, semi-auto gearboxes etc.) changed very late, in December 2000.
"The banning of electronic power steering for 2002 has given us a lot of work," reckons Tim Holloway. "Especially as we had a very good system. Designing and building a new one to comply with the regs is a major project. The two-way telemetry, (pit to car, as well as the existing car to pit) which is allowed as from 2002 also means an increased workload. At the moment, the driver has diff-maps and brake balance settings he can change from the cockpit. Now, we will be able to do that from the pits, as well as modifying engine mapping."