Before the new regulations

The driver's feet had to be located behind a vertical plane passing through the axis of the front axle, therefore, if one were to draw a vertical line from the center of the rim, the driver's feet would remain behind it. 

The driver's feet were in their most advanced position when accelerating all the way, hence a fully pressed accelerator pedal had to be behind a vertical line extending from the axis of the front axle (a drawing of the pedals had to be submitted for approval of the car).

Inside, it had to be possible to install two seats symmetrically on each side of a central line from the front to the back of the car.

With the new regulations

The preceding rules are still in effect, but they have been clarified or strengthened.

Now, the space for the driver's and passenger's legs, as well as for the body and head of the driver and passenger, are determined more strictly and can be checked by templates.

In addition, the driver must be able to exit through the passenger door in a maximum of nine seconds and in a maximum of seven seconds from the door on his side, whereas before the only rule was seven seconds.

Lastly, a paragraph addressing the driver's field of vision has been added to the technical regulations, determining namely the driver's position in the cockpit. Without going into technical details, the goal is to provide the driver with a wider view of his environment.

Cécile Bonardel / ACO