Gearboxes:
Like the restrictions placed on engines over the last couple of seasons to improve reliability and to cut costs, gearboxes now have to last four consecutive race meetings. The penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change is similar to that of an unscheduled engine change, but not as severe - drivers will be relegated five grid spaces at the meeting the change took place. If a driver fails to finish a race, they may start the next race with a new gearbox without incurring a penalty.

Electronic Control Units (ECUs):
A big change for teams in 2008 is the move to standardised, FIA approved ECUs to control the cars' electronics. The control ECUs must run FIA-approved software and will allow the FIA to monitor the cars' performance more closely.

Traction Control and Launch Control:
The most noticeable change to the rules for 2008 will be the ban of traction and launch control. The idea is that by banning these electronic aid systems, there will be more overtaking during races, and drivers will have to rely on skill alone to get them away quickly off the grid and around the racetrack. So be prepared to see the cars move around a lot more, and race starts that are a little less perfect.

Qualifying:
The basic format for Saturday's qualifying will remain the same in 2008, i.e. qualifying is broken into three parts and cars are knocked-out in the first two sessions to leave the final 'top 10' to battle it out for pole position in Q3. There is one important change though, that is set to have a knock-on effect to how heavy cars will be on the grid, and how many stops teams choose to make during the races - in 2008 the final session (Q3) has been reduced from 15 to 10 minutes, and refuelling afterwards is banned. This also means the fuel burn runs that teams needed to complete in the past to get 'fuel credits', will be a thing of the past.