Formula One rings the changes for 2006
(Agencies)
Updated: 2006-03-03 06:55

LONDON: The first race of the 2006 Formula One season in Bahrain on March 12 will introduce significant rule changes as well as new faces.
The following looks at what is different for 2006.

New teams
Japan's Super Aguri, the 11th team who were given the go-ahead only in January, become the first completely new entrants in Formula One since Toyota's debut in 2002.
Formula One last had 11 teams that same season, when Arrows folded.

Four other teams are under new ownership or have changed their names since 2005: BAR have become Honda Racing F1, Sauber are now BMW-Sauber, Jordan are renamed Midland and Minardi become Scuderia Toro Rosso.

New drivers
Germany's Nico Rosberg, son of 1982 champion Keke and winner of the inaugural GP2 feeder series last year, is the highest-profile new driver. He joins Williams.

Scott Speed, making his debut with Toro Rosso, becomes the first American Formula One race driver since Michael Andretti left McLaren in 1993.

Super Aguri, with Takuma Sato and Yuji Ide, who first drove a Formula One car only last month, have the first all-Japanese line-up.

Trading places
Ferrari, with Brazilian Felipe Massa joining from Sauber, have a new driver for the first time since 2000.
He takes the place of compatriot Rubens Barrichello, who has switched to Honda.

Germany's Nick Heidfeld has gone from Williams to the new BMW-Sauber team while Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi will compete for Toro Rosso after four races with Red Bull.

Dutchman Christijan Albers has joined Midland from Minardi while Sato goes from BAR to Super Aguri.

Engine rules
The three litre V10 engines have been replaced by 2.4 litre V8 units, although rev-restricted V10s can be used. This will be an option only for Toro Rosso.