NUMBERS GAME.(Competition)

There will be 22 cars on the Grand Prix grid in 2006. The new Super Aguri team will enter Formula One after all, having secured the unanimous agreement of the existing 10 teams. Honda-backed Super Aguri failed to lodge its $48 million bond with the FIA before the registration deadline, but was told by the regulatory body it would be admitted if its rivals approved.

Founder Aguri Suzuki (above) commented: "I would like to thank all the teams for approving our late entry and assure them that Super Aguri will cooperate and do our best to reach their expectations. We appreciate their support, and we won't let them down.''

It is possible Super Aguri offered a financial incentive to the MF1 team (formerly Jordan), which was understood to be the only competitor opposing the inclusion of the Japanese-owned, U.K.-based venture.

New rules

The FIA has fulfilled its promise to announce the full draft of the 2008 F1 regulations it claims are intended to significantly reduce costs.

The biggest of all the new rules is that the new Concorde Agreement will not prevent constructors from selling components or complete chassis to other teams: There will be, says the FIA, "an entirely free market.''

As for the technical rules, the 2.4-liter V8 engines will be rev-limited to 19,000 rpm, and there will be a standard ECU for the engine and gearbox, eliminating driver aids.