Most important changes for the 2012 season

Suspended races:
If two hours have passed before the scheduled race distance is completed then the leader is shown the chequered flag when he crosses the control line at the end of the lap during which the two hour period ended. If a race is suspended, the maximum race time is set to four hours.

Driving:
Drivers are not allowed to leave the track without a justifiable reason (a driver is judged to have left the track if no part of the car remains in contact with the track). More than one change of direction to defend a position is not permitted: If a driver goes off-line to defend his position and returns to the racing line, he must leave one car width between his own car and the edge of the track on the approach to the corner.

Tyres:
Drivers may use all tyres allocated to them on the first day of practice, as opposed to last year when only three sets were permitted on the first day.

Safety Car:
As of this season, cars will be able to “unlap” themselves when the safety car is deployed and re-join the race at the back of the field.

Testing:
In-season testing will return with a three-day test to be held at Mugello from the 1st to the 3rd of May.

Crash tests:
This year all cars must pass crash tests performed on the front, side, rear of the chassis and the steering column before taking part in any on-track testing.

Blown diffusers:
Since the 2011 European Grand Prix, teams can no longer adjust engine mapping between qualifying and the race.

As of this year, the practice of hot blowing and cold blowing exhaust through the diffusers has been banned.

 

Nose height dimensions

(see this link )

 

 

credit: Hispania Racing Team