The 2007 Formula 1 season brings with it a few changes to rules, and teams. So what can we expect to see?

We look at the changes and throw some ideas into the pot. 

At the end of 2006 engines were submitted by each team as examples of the engine that they would run for the next few (?) years. The idea is that design would remain frozen at that stage, to cut development costs. At the moment, only minor changes will be allowed between 2007 and 2010. How practical this is, and how long the teams will stick to the agreement is probably quite 'fluid'. I can see the time coming that a frontline team will be canvassing a change.

Sometimes in F1 you see stupid rules come and go and I think the engine freeze is one rule that should be jumped up and down on and thrown out. What is Max thinking of?

Is another to be torn up and burnt a single tyre supplier? In the last couple of years, we have seen some great races won and lost on tyres. Not just is the racing better on the day, but the many hours of testing on different compounds had the side-effect of other advancements - and lots of chances for fans to get to see the teams on the test track.

Perhaps not... There will be plenty of tyres available for the weekend (four sets Friday, ten sets for the remainder of the weekend) and a new twist is that there will be two compounds at each race - and drivers must use both compounds during the race.

That twist could be interesting. Will the teams run the 'worst' compound first to get it out of the way, so they can then concentrate on racing? Or maybe take advantage of an early safety car to run a couple of laps and then come straight back in and back onto the good compound? We may see the braver drivers using odd tactics like pushing the bad compound to destruction in all out driving, nothing to loose.

Will we see a good lead lost because the driver has to come in for the lesser compound? Hmm... watch this one, it could give us some good racing. Well done, Max?  The jury is still out on this ...

Here's an odd one ... the safety car has a new rule, designed to stop back markers interfering with the restart. A back marker will have to overtake the other cars and the safety car and then procede to go around and catch up again at the back ... strange. A safety car means something is wrong, unsafe, on the track. So what do they do? They require drivers to break the safety of the pack to race around and catch up. If I was a marshal, I would not be saying thank you for this rule change. I hope it does not lead to problems.

And the safety car is the root of the next change to the rules. Remember how many times Schumacher gained a great advantage by diving into the pits the moment the safety car came out? This shouldn't happen this season. A driver may not pit until the cars are bunched up behind the safety car. This is a mess.

How will they define "bunched"? Imagine coming past the pit lane, third car behind the safety car ... can you pit? How can you possibly tell if the other cars are bunched yet? Especially if there are back markers zooming around to catch up.

What if you are due in for a scheduled stop in one lap and then the safety car comes out? Will you be forced to go around on an empty tank? Watch out for some penalties here... it is a perfect rule for teams to get wrong for the first few races.

For a read-up on the new rules for 2007 on the official F1 site, clik here .

I hope you enjoy the new season .. why not let us know your thoughts on the forum? Every fan likes to know what other people will be watching for in the race. Share your opinion with us all.