General:

Based on the real Formula 1 races, the strategy should be putting together the best possible team for each race to score as many points as possible.

The owner of the PFF1 team with the most points at the end of the season will be the PFF1 World Champion. Team owner with at least 3 teams take part in the PFF1 Constructors World Championship.

Every player is able to create up to 3 leagues (public or private). In the leagues the contenders fight for the league title till to the end of a season.

After each Grand Prix the player with the highest race result will be the winner of the weekend.

The race scores are taken after the chequered flag from the official FIA web site. Changes after the race because of disqualifications or something like that do not have any influences on the PFF1 results.

PFF1.net reserves the right to adjust the rules during a season, if required.  

The decisions of PFF1 are final and not disputable.

Levels of difficulty:

3 different levels of difficulty Amateur, Pro and Expert are available for the contenders of PFF1. It's up to each player, how much time he wants to spend to manage the teams. Amateurs, Pros and Experts take part in one competition.

Prior to race 1 the level of difficulty can be altered unlimited (KERS must be sold, if necessary). After the first race, 5 changes are possible, after race 10 the level of difficulty cannot be altered anymore. 

Amateur:

- Assistant Create a new team: A complete team is suggested after the input of a team manager and a driver.

- Assistant Improve team: With one click on the button a suggestion for a team improvement is generated.

- Qualifying positions and a fastest race lap time are suggested automatically.

- The game play is more simple: The team component Secrecy is not available, only 3 team changes per race are possible (no minus points), Constructors World Championship: The first 3 created teams take part, a team selection is not possible.

Pro:

This level of difficulty equates to the challenging game play of the PFF1 season 2011.

- Guess fastest Race Lap Time: With a click on the GURU Button a guess is suggested by the system.

Expert:

The level of difficulty Expert is just for the absolute Formula 1 fan. No assistants are available and the game play is challenging and very time-consuming. The special feature KERS is only available for Experts.

Team Management:

A registered competitor may create up to 7 teams and 3 leagues (public or private).

The budget per team is 80 Mio at the beginning of the season, after each race every team gets additional 2 Mio. The costs of manager, drivers, chassis, engine and tyres vary after each Grand Prix.

The component prices rise or fall according to their performance at the weekend.

A team consists of 1 manager, 3 drivers (driver no. 3 can be selected from the test- or substitute driver pool), 1 chassis, 1 engine, 1 set of tyres. Prior to the first race a team can be changed unlimited. Usually a team can be modified till 3 hours before the Qualifying of a race weekend (for the valid database closing times, look at the calendar page).

A team owner is not able to have more than 2 teams consisting of 'identical' components. Differences in selected components 'Driver 3' and 'Secrecy', as well as in guessed Qualifying positions or fastest race lap time won't be considered. The exchange just of 'Driver 1' and 'Driver 2' among each other doesn't put things right. This is also effective for the components 'Chassis' and 'Engine'.

3 changes are for free before every race, each further change causes 5 minus points. One change is a transfer of one team component. The point loss will be calculated after the following race. Guessing the Qualifying positions of the drivers is unlimited possible and does not lead to minus points.

Exception: After an extraordinary adjustment of component costs (obligatory after race 3, optional after race 7), 5 changes will be for free just before the following race.

Remark: Amateurs are only able to do changes for free (no minus points are possible).

During a race weekend the database will be closed and it opens after the points are calculated. While the database is closed no changes can be made.

Secrecy (only for Pro and Expert):

The tactical component 'Hide team components' costs 1 Mio. per race. With this option activated, the actual team components (including the last team changes) are invisible for all of the other players on the whole PFF1 pages. Once activated and saved the setting cannot be turned back again. The free changes (3 before every race) will not be affected by this action.

KERS (only for Expert):

To use KERS, you have to invest 1 Mio. at first. KERS will be delivered with a charge of 50%. You are able to recharge KERS twice with 50% by investing 1 Mio. in each case. 10% charge is equal to 1 point. To generate bonus points you have to choose the option 'KERS discharge' on the team edit page. The number of bonus points depend on the selected percentage.

It is possible to recharge KERS, without spending money. You have to choose the option 'KERS recharge in the race' on the team edit page. Thereby the points are transferred from the race score into the KERS buffer:

-1 point of the race score: +20% charge of KERS
-2 points of the race score: +30% charge of KERS
-3 points of the race score: +40% charge of KERS
...
-9 points of the race score: +100% charge of KERS

With KERS it is possible to transfer points from one race to another.

Remark: 

PFF1 does not tolerate displeasing, offensive or other improper expressions for Team Owner-, Team- and League-Names and comments.

PFF1 reserves the right to change or delete names or comments, respectively to suspend participators from the competition.

PFF1 Constructors World Championship:

A team owner takes part in the PFF1 Constructors World Championship when he is running at least 3 teams.

If a Pro or an Expert has more than 3 teams, he has to nominate the 3 participating teams in the PFF1 Constructors World Championship. The nominations will be carried over automatically from race to race, but can be adjusted prior to each race as often as required. An Amateur takes part with the 3 first created teams, a team selection is not possible.

The scores are taken from the average of the team points of the 3 nominated teams. The team owners will be ordered according to their scored points. If owners have an equal score, the owner who has the more teams is ranked in front. If team owners with the same number of teams have an equal score, the owner with the better race results (=lower race position index) is in front.

Remark: The KERS points (minus or bonus points) are not used for the score calculation in the PFF1 Constructors World Championship.

The team owner with the highest total score will be immortalized in the Hall of Fame as PFF1 Constructors World Champion.

A ranking in the top 25  at the end of the season enables the team owner to take part in the next Years' expert tipping competition.

Official PFF1 Leagues:

1.) PFF1 Champions Racing League:

Qualified is one team of each team owner who has a team which is classified at position 1 at the end of the last season in a race series or an Official PFF1 League. The National Champions an all PFF1 World Champions are also qualified.
After the 6th race of the season the PFF1 Champions Racing League is converted to a race series and the teams will be ordered according to the race series scoring system. All teams which are not qualified will be transferred to the PFF1 Professional League.

2.) PFF1 Cup:

Qualified is one team of each team owner, who has a team which is classified at position 2 or 3 at the end of the last season in a race series or at position 2, 3, 4, 5 in an Official PFF1 League (Exception: The best 4 teams in the PFF1 Cup are qualified). All PFF1 World Champions are awarded with a Wildcard.

Competition format:

The best 144 teams after race 3 are qualified for the group stage. The teams are split up in 16 groups. From race 4 to 13 an all-play-all tournament (10 rounds) takes place. The ranking within the groups is according to the number of match-up victories. 

In groups with odd-numbered members in each round one team gets a bye. If more rounds are held, as opponents are available in the own group, the remaining match-ups will be done against opponents of another group (group 1 vs. group 2, group 3 vs. group 4, etc.).

The group leaders after race 13 are qualified for the 1/16-finals and get a free round in race 14. The 2nd and 3rd placed teams in the groups compete for the remaining 16 places in the Wildcard round. The 48 teams play-off starts after race 13 with the Wildcard round.

3.) PFF1 Professional League:

Qualified is one team of each team owner, who is in the competition for more than one season and is not qualified for the PFF1 Champions Racing League or the PFF1 Cup.

4.) PFF1 Rookie League:

Qualified is one team of a rookie player in the actual season.

Leagues and Race Series:

General:

Each team owner is able to create up to 3 leagues by choosing one of the 3 different types. When the number of members of a public or private league comes up to 24, the league changes into a race series.

Remark: It will be possible to join or leave a league till 4 races before the end of the season.

Public League:

A league created by a team owner which can be joined by everyone. In this league up to 2 teams per team owner are possible. The public league changes into a race series automatically when the number of members comes up to 24.

Private League:

A league created by a team owner which can be joined by competitors who know the league password. In this league up to 2 teams per team owner are possible. The private league changes into a race series automatically when the number of members comes up to 24.

Option 'Let fill up league with guest teams automatically':

If this option is activated by the league owner, the Private League will be filled up with guest teams automatically after the database closing time during a race weekend (as long as enough teams without league assignment are available). Guest teams are marked with a gray highlighted 'G' left beside the team name in the league tables. This option should be activated if a league owner wants to run a private race series, but is not able to mobilize enough contenders.

Individual Private League (unlimited number of participants):

A league created by a team owner which can be joined by competitors who know the league password. The league owner of this league type is able to determine how many teams per team owner are allowed and is able to activate an additional league cup.  The league cup is a play-off for the best 8 teams after the 4th to last race of the season. Like in the official PFF1 Cup the qualified teams play against each other in knockout duels resulting in a league cup winner at the end of the season.

The league cup is running additionally and has no influence on the main league competition. Big leagues obtain an additional PFF1 Cup qualifying place for its members in the case of an activated league cup feature.  

When at least 24 teams and at least 12 team owners participating in this league type, it will be possible to qualify for the PFF1 Champions Racing League or the PFF1 Cup.

League with 2 divisions (Additional option for Private and Individual Private League):

A team owner is able to create one Private or Individual Private League with 2 divisions. The best teams of the 2nd division will be promoted to the 1st division in the next season. The last placed teams of the 1st division are relegated to the 2nd division. The number of teams facing relegation or promotion can be determined by the league owner (1 ... 10). The total number of teams in the 1st division of an Individual Private League is defined by the league owner. The number of league members in the 2nd division of an Individual Private League is unlimited. Teams of both divisions will be able to qualify for the PFF1 Champions Racing League or for the PFF1 Cup, if the league meets the necessary criteria (at least 24 teams and 12 team owner).

Guest teams won't be able to promote or relegate in leagues with 2 divisions.

Race Series:

After a public or private league changes into a race series, it won't be possible to leave or join this race series anymore. Teams which are not a member of a league prior to a race (after the database is closed) will be automatically assigned to leagues to get as many as possible race series.

Within a race series the teams will be ordered according to the special race series points. The points are awarded for each race by using the official FIA scoring system (Pos. 1: 25 points; pos. 2: 18 points; pos. 3: 15 points; pos. 4: 12 points; pos. 5: 10 points; pos. 6: 8 points; pos. 7: 6 points; pos. 8: 4 points; pos. 9: 2 points; pos. 10: 1 point).

The winner of a race series is qualified for the PFF1 Champions Racing League in the next season. Team owners who win at least two race series or finish with teams at position 2 or 3 in one race series are qualified for the PFF1 Cup in the next season.

Within a race series also a Constructor's Championship is available. For team owners with 2 teams the race series points of both teams are added together. A team owner with just one team is able to agree to a partnership with another team owner and take part together with him in the Constructor's Championship.

Component Costs:

General:

After each race the costs of the components (Manager, driver, chassis, engine and tyres) will be recalculated based on the obtained total points. The first modification because of the scores will be realized after race 3.

Extraordinary adjustment of component costs:

After the race 3 of a season an obligatory extraordinary adjustment of component costs will be executed. This regulation is valid for the components Manager, Driver 1 and 2m Chassis and Engine (not for Driver 3 and Tyres).

PPF1 is going to adjust the component costs which do not correspond to their performance level. The prices can be increased or decreased, depending on a component is undervalued or overvalued.

If necessary, an optional extraordinary adjustment of component costs will be executed after race 7 (only valid for Driver 1 and 2, Chassis and Engine components).

The component costs will be adjusted without a modification of the total team budget values. Only the cash balance of the teams will be altered. This can lead to a negative cash balance.

The team owners should change their teams to get a cash balance >=0. The negative cash balance of teams will be cleared automatically by team changes performed by PFF1.net after the database is closed during the race weekend.

After an extraordinary adjustment of component costs, 5 team changes will be for free only prior to the following race.

Manager:

The costs only depend on the obtained points. Two managers cannot have the same price. 

The minimum value of a manager is 3 Mio. 

Driver 1 and 2:

A retirement will cause a price loss of 1 Mio. (minimum value of driver 1 and 2: 5 Mio.) 

The winning driver will increase its price by 1 Mio (valid right from race 1).

After race 3 the prices depend on the scored points, different drivers can have the same price.

107% Rule: The value of a driver is decreased by 1 Mio, if he may not take part in a Formula 1 Grand Prix because of the 107% rule (unless the costs are higher than the minimum value). 

Driver 3:

The costs only depend on the obtained points. The minimum value of a driver 3 is 1 Mio., the maximum value is 4 Mio. 

Chassis and Engine:

If both cars of a team retire, engine and chassis will loss 1 Mio. A finish of a team at position 1 and 2 will cause an increase of the price of engine and chassis by 1 Mio (valid right from race 1). 

After race 3 the prices will depend on the scored points, different engines and chassis can have the same price.

The minimum value of a chassis and motor is 5 Mio.

107% Rule: The value of a chassis and an engine is decreased by 1 Mio, if both cars of a team may not take part in a Formula 1 Grand Prix because of the 107% rule (unless the costs are higher than the minimum value). 

Tyres:

The price of the tyres only depends on the obtained points, different tyre suppliers or groups can have the same price.

Remark: If only 1 tyre supplier is active in Formula 1, it will be divided into 2 groups. The Formula 1 Teams will be assigned alternately at the beginning of a season to one of the tyres groups according to the last Years Formula 1 Constructor standings and the FIA entry list.

In Formula 1 the Prime and Option tyre must be used at least once during a race. The Prime and Option tyre must be chosen at least 4 times during a PFF1 season.

If a team owner does not observe the rule, a component change will be made by the system in the last 4 races. Inactive teams will be adjusted automatically in the last 4 races after the database closing time.

P  Pirelli 1 - Prime: Red Bull, Ferrari, Lotus, Sauber, Williams, HRT

O  Pirelli 2 - Option: McLaren, Mercedes, Force India, Toro Rosso, Caterham, Marussia

Ranking:

Race results (Total, leagues and race series):

The teams will be ordered according to their points scored in the race. If teams have an equal score, the team which has been changed earlier is ranked in front. Teams which remain unchanged prior to a race (Guessing the Qualifying positions or the fastest lap time count as a change) are ranked behind other teams with an equal score.

Total score (Total and leagues except race series):

The teams will be ordered according to their total score. If teams have an equal score, the team with the lower race position index will be in front. The race position index is the average of all race positions in a season (the better the race positions, the lower the index).

Total score race series:

The teams will be ordered according to the scored race series points. If teams have an equal amount of race series points, the team with the higher total score will be in front. If two teams have the same race series points and total score, the team with the lower race series position index will be in front. The race series position index is the average of all race series race positions in a season (the better the race positions in the race series, the lower the index).

Scoring:

The scores of the team components are basing on the real Formula 1 race results.

Manager:

Qualifying:

5 points are awarded for the best, 4 points for the 2nd best team, ....

The points are basing on the average qualifying position of both cars.

Race:

10 points are awarded for the best positioned team, 9 points for team 2, ...

The points base on the average race position of both cars.

Bonus:

Both cars are classified at the end of the race: 5 bonus points

 Max. possible:

20 points

Drivers:

Qualifying:

10 points for position 1, 9 points for position 2, 8 points for position 3, ....

Race:

20 points for position 1, 19 points for position 2, ....

Points are only awarded for drivers which are classified.

The number of laps down does not have an influence on the points.

Additional 1 point for every 10 laps completed, max. 5 points

Bonus:

Driver with the fastest race lap: 5 bonus points

 Max. possible:

40 points

Chassis:

Qualifying:

5 points are awarded for the best, 4 points for the 2nd best team, ....

The points are basing on the average qualifying position of both cars.

Race:

20 points for position 1, 19 points for position 2, 18 points for position 3, ....

Points are only awarded for chassis which are classified. 

Both of the Formula 1 cars are used for scoring. 

The number of laps down does not have an influence on the points.

Additional 1 point for every 10 laps completed, max. 5 points

The total score of a chassis is calculated according to this formula:

Total score Chassis = Score Chassis 1 (the better placed one) *0,70 + Score Chassis 2 *0,30 

Bonus:

no bonus points

 Max. possible:

30 points

Engine:

Qualifying:

5 points are awarded for the best, 4 points for the 2nd best team, ....

The points are basing on the average qualifying position of both cars.

Race:

20 points for position 1, 19 points for position 2, 18 points for position 3, ....

Points are only awarded for engines which are classified. 

Both of the Formula 1 cars are used for scoring. 

The number of laps down does not have an influence on the points.

Additional 1 point for every 10 laps completed, max. 5 points

The total score of an engine is calculated according to this formula:

Total score Engine = Score Engine 1 (the better placed one) *0,70 + Score Engine 2 *0,30 

Malus:

Retirement of one car because of an engine blow-up: –2 points!

Qualifying position penalty because of an engine change prior to the race: -5 points!

Qualifying position penalty because of a gear box change prior to the race: -3 points!

(Max. 5 minus points because of a engine or gear box change penalty are possible.

If both cars do not finish the race: no minus points.)

 Max. possible:

30 points

Tyres:

Qualifying:

5 points are awarded for the pole position

Race:

8 points are awarded for the 1st place.

1 point is awarded for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th place.

Bonus:

no bonus points

 Max. possible:

20 points

Bonus:

Qualifying:

Each team owner is able to guess the Qualifying positions of his 3 drivers.

The selections are not carried forward from race to race and must be selected at each race. 5 points are awarded for each correct selection.

Race:

Each team owner is able to guess the fastest lap time of the next Formula 1 race. An accurately guessed fastest race lap time will be awarded with 5 bonus points. The score will decreased by 0.01 points per every thousandth difference. For the bonus points calculation the places after the comma will be cut off (e. g.: 4.97 = 4 bonus points). No minus points will be awarded.

 Max. possible:

20 points

KERS:

Available:

Only for level of difficulty Expert

Race:

Discharge KERS in the race: max. 10 points

Recharge KERS in the race: max. -9 points