1992 Season

Driver changes

Alain Prost’s release from Ferrari before the end of 1991 opens a seat at Maranello, filled by Ivan Capelli. Three-time world champion Nelson Piquet retires, and Benetton signs Martin Brundle from Brabham.

Brabham replace Brundle with Eric van de Poele and make a historic signing alongside him: Giovanna Amati, the first female Formula One driver since Desiré Wilson raced in 1980.

Jordan acquires Stefano Modena from Tyrrell and Maurício Gugelmin from Leyton House, while Andrea de Cesaris moves from Jordan to Tyrrell. Tyrrell also replaces the retired Satoru Nakajima with Olivier Grouillard. Pierluigi Martini moves from Minardi to Scuderia Italia, replaced at Minardi by debutant Christian Fittipaldi. Aguri Suzuki leaves Larrousse for Footwork, freeing a seat at Larrousse for Japanese newcomer Ukyo Katayama. Former Footwork driver Alex Caffi joins the new Andrea Moda team alongside Enrico Bertaggia.

This is the first season in which all teams run two cars.

Team changes

March completes a take-over of Leyton House Racing. The Modena team, which had been preparing a 1992 chassis, ceases operations before the season begins due to financial difficulties.

Ligier ends its one-year relationship with Lamborghini and signs a three-year full-works engine deal with Renault, receiving the same specification as Williams. Lamborghini moves on to supply Minardi and Larrousse, the latter collaborating with Venturi Automobiles to produce the new Venturi LC92 chassis.

Judd, which supplied Team Lotus and BMS Scuderia Italia in 1991, switches to Brabham and the new Andrea Moda team. Lotus receives Ford engines, while BMS Scuderia Italia runs a 1991-specification Ferrari unit. Brabham’s former supplier Yamaha moves to Jordan. Mugen Motorsports makes its public debut as engine supplier to Footwork; Tyrrell switches to Ilmor.

Andrea Moda is a new constructor formed when the Andrea Moda fashion company, owned by Andrea Sassetti, purchased the Coloni operation. The team brings a Simtek-designed S921 chassis and must compete as a new entrant under Formula One’s financial guarantee rules.

Calendar

The season runs to sixteen races. The most significant change is the return of the South African Grand Prix after a seven-year absence — the FIA lifts its ban on events in South Africa following the end of apartheid, with the race held at a newly revised Kyalami circuit. The United States Grand Prix at the Phoenix street circuit, originally scheduled as the second round, is cancelled due to the inability to install sufficient spectator seating.

The Mexican Grand Prix moves from its usual mid-June slot to March, running as the second round. The Spanish Grand Prix shifts from September to May. The Austrian Grand Prix, originally scheduled for 16 August, is cancelled due to financial problems; the Hungarian Grand Prix moves forward to fill its slot. The European Grand Prix at Jerez, originally scheduled for 4 October, is also cancelled.

Regulation changes

Unleaded fuel becomes mandatory for all Formula One cars from 1992. Previously optional for top teams only, the rule removes leaded petrol from the grid entirely. From the Hungarian Grand Prix onwards, FISA further mandates pump fuel with a lower octane rating, reducing engine power mid-season.

Stricter crash tests are introduced. The use of the Safety Car is formally codified for the first time. Circuits are required to lower kerbs, widen the pit lane to at least twelve metres, and add a chicane at the pit lane entry.