A few new rules and changes for the 2012 season:
- All cars will have to pass all the mandatory crash tests in order to be able to take part in winter testing.
- All lapped cars will be allowed to unlap themselves and then join at the back of the field during safety car periods, ensuring a clean restart without slower cars in front of the leaders.

- There will now be a maximum race time of four hours during each grand prix, ensuring that lengthy suspensions do not result in events that are longer than that.

- The FIA also said that from 2012, drivers will not be allowed to move back onto the racing line after having moved off it to defend their position.

- From next year, cars which were in the pitlane when a race is suspended will now be allowed to rejoin the grid in the position they were in when the race was stopped.
- The governing body has also altered the use of tyre allocations, with drivers now allowed to use all tyres from the start of practice. Previously, only three sets were permitted.
- Drivers will not be allowed to leave the track - like cutting a chicane on reconnaissance laps or 'in' laps to save time and fuel - without a justifiable reason.
- It has also confirmed there will be a three-day test during the season, which is set to allow teams to run with their drivers mid-campaign.