Traction control banned in 2008

The Formula One Teams and the FIA have agreed to ban traction control in 2008 after the system had been reintroduced in 2001. The new rule states: "No car may be equipped with a system or device which is capable of preventing the driven wheels from spinning under power or of compensating for excessive throttle demand by the driver. Any device or system which notifies the driver of the onset of wheel spin is not permitted."

The FIA had had a hard time to impose the ban on traction control before it was reintroduced in 2001. The main problem was basically that teams built very complex software for their engine controls that it was nearly impossible to check the code for any system that prevented the rear wheels from spinning.

The reintroduction is a logical consequence for the quest for more action and competition. Drivers will have more influence on acceleration while starts may become more spectacular again. Since the FIA will also introduce Microsoft's standardised ECU systems as of 2008, any traction control system will be easier to detect than ever before.