FIA TAKES DRASTIC ACTIONS

FIA takes drastic action – Photo: InSyde Media

The FIA – the world’s motorsport governing body – has taken drastic actions and approved a number of regulation changes to safeguard motorsport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By DAN KNUTSON

The FIA’s World Motor Sport Council has approved a number of regulatory changes in response to the rapidly-evolving global situation.

In regards to Formula 1, the changes for the 2020 Sporting Regulations have been approved in order to give flexibility to the FIA and Formula 1 to react to the crisis and organise a race calendar that best safeguards the commercial value of the championship and contains costs as much as possible. This will be achieved by the following methods:

*The right to change regulations with only 60 per cent (compared to 100 per cent) support amongst the teams, so as to increase flexibility during this difficult period. In any case a subsequent approval by the World Motor Sport Council will be required.

*The permission for the FIA and Formula 1 (Liberty Media) to change the calendar without a vote. Changes to testing regulations will be permitted.

*Changes to permissible Power Unit elements if the number of races reduces.

*The banning of aerodynamic development for the 2022 regulations during 2020, starting on 28 March.

*The World Council approved the previously-announced delay of the 2021 technical regulations to 2022 for cost-saving measures. Further measures will be introduced for 2021 following discussions with the teams. These will include the homologation of the survival cell (from 2020) and certain other components.

*In addition, dual-axis steering systems (DAS) debuted by Mercedes will not be permitted in 2021.

*These technical changes have already received the required unanimous approval of the participating competitors, as they represent fundamental changes introduced after 18 months prior to the start of the year of the relevant championship.

For more of the latest F1 news pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.