Quote Originally Posted by gm99 View Post
I have my doubts that the MP 4/23 of 2008, designed by Tim Goss and Simon Lacey, was really based on a design Newey had made ten years earlier for the MP 4/13, especially considering there had been quite a few changes of the regulations in the intervening years (including a reduction the size of the rear diffusor in 2005).
I think you would find that there were no major rule changes to the chassis over those ten years. Only tweaks to targeted sections of the chassis such as rear wings on one occasion then front wings on another occasion. The basic chassis architecture was more or less constant over those ten years. Read below a summary of the chassis rules over the period in question.

Technical regulations (chassis) All of the information below is Courtesy F1 Technical.net

1997
FIA Accident Data Recorder obligatory on all cars (ADR).
Energy absorbing structure on gearbox imposed, with rear impact test.
Energy absorption of steering wheel, column and rack must be shown by impact test.
Bodywork rules to exclude rear "winglets" and midship wings.
Suspension must be designed to prevent contact of a front wheel with the driver's head in an accident and to provide 120° articulation of the forward lower arms, front and rear, to help retain the wheels.

1998
Overall width reduced from 2m to 1.8m; grooved tyres made obligatory, to reduce cornering speeds.
Single fuel bladder mandatory. Refuelling connector must be covered.
Cockpit dimensions increased; side headrests extended to steering wheel.
Mirror size increased, 5cmx10cm to 5x12.
Front roll hoop test introduced; survival cell dimensions forward of dash increased; side impact test speed increased (nearly 100% more energy), site moved forward 200mm.

1999
Engine oil breathers to vent into the engine air intake.
A cable must tether each wheel to the chassis to prevent it flying off or contacting the driver's head, in case of accident.
A seat which can be extracted with the driver in it in case of injury is mandatory.
Use of beryllium alloys in the chassis is prohibited. Frontal impact test: speed and maximum permitted average deceleration increased (from 12 to 13m/s and 25 to 40g).
Distance of the driver's helmet below a line between the roll hoops increased (from 50 to 70mm).
Rear and lateral headrests to be 1-piece, with standard quick-release method. Asymmetric braking prohibited.
The FIA Accident Data Recorder must also be in operation in private testing.

2002
Power assisted steering systems must be controlled mechanically - no electronic control is allowed. This is the final step to the changes introduced in Barcelona 2001 - changes to avoid the necessity to carry out software inspections following a race;
The rear crash structure is subjected to a substantial side load - the same principal as the front crash structure;
Wheel tethers are stronger;
Mirrors are larger;
The rear light is larger.

2004
Minimum size set of rear wing end plates and engine cover to allow more sponsor space;
Launch control forbidden;
Full-automatic gearboxes forbidden.

2005
Reduction of diffuser size to reduce cornering speeds

2007
Obligatory rear wing gap spacer to prevent flexing;
Increased strenght requirements for rear crash structure

2008
The FIA provides a standard and equal ECU to all teams which must be used in the cars to monitor and control all electronic systems;
Traction control banned

2009
Front wing: max. width increased to 180mm, minimum height reduced to 75mm, middle section of 250mm design specified by FIA;
Allowance of movable front wing flap adjuster. Maximum 6degrees of adjustement, fully uperated by the driver from his steering wheel; Diffuser max height reduced to 200mm;
Winglets and aerodynamic additions on sidepods banned;
Driver-operated moveable aerodynamics allowed in front wing. Limited to 2 adjustements per lap, max 6° change in angle of attack.