FIA STATEMENT - F1 COMMISSION CONFIRMS NEW BODYWORK REGULATIONS FOR MORE DYNAMIC FORMULA ONE CARS
Meetings of the F1 Strategy Group and the F1 Commission were held yesterday in Geneva, with a number of constructive proposals being agreed. Upon the recommendation of the Strategy Group, the F1 Commission passed a series of new measures designed to deliver a faster, more spectacular FIA Formula One World Championship.
Qualifying format
A new qualification format was unanimously accepted by the F1 Commission. The new system is being evaluated for introduction, potentially as soon as the beginning of the 2016 season.
The basis of the new elimination format is as follows:
- Q1
16 minutes
After 7 minutes, slowest driver eliminated
Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag
7 drivers eliminated, 15 progress to Q2
- Q2
15 minutes
After 6 minutes, slowest driver eliminated
Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag
7 drivers eliminated, 8 progress to Q3
- Q3
14 minutes
After 5 minutes, slowest driver eliminated
Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag
2 drivers left in final 1 minute 30 seconds
The final elimination in each session occurs at the chequered flag – not when time is up.
Driver of the Day
The F1 Commission agreed to the introduction of a Driver of the Day award, to be implemented by the Commercial Rights Holder in conjunction with Formula One broadcasters, with the intention of driving greater fan engagement.
Viewers will be encouraged to vote online for their “Driver of the Day” throughout a Grand Prix, with the winner to be announced as part of the race broadcast immediately following the conclusion of the race, when the driver will be presented with their prize.
2017 Sporting and Technical Regulations
Following the recommendation of the Strategy Group, the F1 Commission agreed to postpone the deadline for the finalisation of 2017 Sporting and Technical Regulations until 30 April, 2016 – to allow all stakeholders the best opportunity to complete all relevant work.
2017 bodywork
New bodywork regulations have been adopted to create more exciting cars, delivering additional downforce to increase speeds and lower lap times.
The FIA, teams and official tyre supplier will continue discussions on the best solution for testing of the new tyres required as part of the regulations.
* A summary of the proposed changes – which will be included in the final 2017 Technical Regulations to be approved by the World Motor Sport Council – is here:
Power unit supply
Significant further progress was made on the four major topics regarding Power Unit supply:
- Supply cost
- Obligation to supply
- Performance convergence
- Further improvement of noise
A working group consisting representatives of the FIA, Commercial Rights Holder, Power Unit suppliers and customer teams will undertake further work with the aim of reaching agreement on a plan to meet the above requirements by 30 April, 2016.
Cockpit protection
The F1 Commission confirmed the intention of introducing some form of cockpit protection from the 2017 season. All stakeholders are working together to make this a reality, with the “Halo” concept currently the preferred option. Other options, such as transparent cockpit protection, will continue to be evaluated.
