FIA announces revised 21-race F1 schedule
During the Council meeting, the following decisions were taken:
FIA Formula One World Championship
The updated provisional calendar for the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship was approved:
|
20 March |
Melbourne |
Australia |
|
3 April |
Bahrain |
Bahrain |
|
17 April |
Shanghai |
China |
|
1 May |
Sochi |
Russia |
|
15 May |
Barcelona |
Spain |
|
29 May |
Monte Carlo |
Monaco |
|
12 June |
Montreal |
Canada |
|
19 June |
Baku |
Azerbaijan* |
|
3 July |
Spielberg |
Austria |
|
10 July |
Silverstone |
United Kingdom |
|
24 July |
Budapest |
Hungary |
|
31 July |
Hockenheim |
Germany |
|
28 August |
Spa-Francorchamps |
Belgium |
|
4 September |
Monza |
Italy |
|
18 September |
Singapore |
Singapore |
|
2 October |
Sepang |
Malaysia |
|
9 October |
Suzuka |
Japan |
|
23 October |
Austin |
USA |
|
6 November |
Mexico City |
Mexico |
|
13 November |
Sao Paolo |
Brazil |
|
27 November |
Abu Dhabi |
United Arab Emirates |
*race start to be scheduled to avoid conflict with the conclusion of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Cars must now comply with all cockpit and safety equipment requirements during testing; such as the position of the driver’s head, all headrest padding, cockpit padding and ease of driver egress.
Sporting Regulations regarding track limits have been clarified and specify that drivers “must make every reasonable effort to use the track at all times and may not deliberately leave the track without a justifiable reason". Penalties will still be allocated based on whether a driver is judged to have gained an advantage.
The WMSC approved the proposal of the F1 Commission regarding regulations for power unit and gearbox changes. Such penalties prior to qualifying will be applied based on the time of use. For changes made after qualifying, preference will be given to the driver whose team first informed the technical delegate that a change will occur.
Any driver who causes a start to be aborted, even if he is then able to start the extra formation lap, will be required to start the race from the pit lane. The same process will be applied to a re-start from a race suspension where drivers have been brought to the pit lane.
The WMSC confirmed a number of clarifications were made to aerodynamic testing restrictions for wind tunnel use and CFD, specifically focusing on reporting and inspection processes for these development tools.
For 2016, all cars must have a separate exhaust wastegate tailpipe through which all and only wastegate exhaust gases must pass. This measure has been undertaken to increase the noise of the cars and will not have any significant effect on power or emissions.
For 2017, on board cameras on stalks on the nose of cars will be prohibited.
FIA Formula 2 Championship
Significant progress has been made in negotiations with the promoter of GP2 regarding the establishment of the final step in the FIA’s single-seater ladder; the FIA Formula 2 Championship.
Discussions remain ongoing with the intention of finalizing an agreement.
FIA Formula 4
The WMSC confirmed the minimum mandatory safety equipment for drivers participating in FIA Formula 4 Championships. This list will be inserted in the sporting regulations of each FIA F4 Championship by the relevant ASNs.
FIA Formula E Championship
An updated calendar for the 2015-16 FIA Formula E Championship was approved – the new calendar is:
|
24 October |
Beijing |
China |
|
7 November |
Putrajaya |
Malaysia |
|
19 December |
Punta del Este |
Uruguay |
|
6 February |
Buenos Aires |
Argentina |
|
12 March |
TBC |
TBC |
|
2 April |
Long Beach |
USA |
|
23 or 24 April |
Paris |
France |
|
21 May |
Berlin |
Germany |
|
4 June |
Moscow |
Russia |
|
2 & 3 July |
London |
United Kingdom |
The 2015-16 FIA Formula E Championship regulations have been approved. The main changes are:
– All races now count to the overall championship classification
– Introduction of a new rule permitting a maximum of two driver changes per race number during the season
– The five fastest drivers from qualifying will then contest a single-lap Super Pole session to determine the top five positions on the grid
– Increase of power in race trim to 170kW and 200kW in qualifying trim
– Introduction of a Full Course Yellow system – similar to those seen in other FIA championships for on-track incidents
– Extension of the FanBoost voting deadline until the start of the pit stop window mid-race.
The WMSC also confirmed Michelin as the single tire supplier for the FIA Formula E Championship. The contracts will cover Seasons 3 (2016-2017), 4 (2017-2018) and 5 (2018-2019), subject to the finalization of the corresponding agreements.
The WMSC recognized the importance of ensuring that Formula E races must take place in a city location, and on a street circuit specifically adapted to Formula E.
FIA World Endurance Championship
The WMSC approved the Endurance Commission’s proposal to limit the releasable power for energy recovery systems in LMP1 cars on safety grounds, to avoid the possibility of deployment of an instantaneous total power (engine + hybrid) of over 1000hp.
Further technical regulations for LMP1 were amended regarding refuelling, bodywork, wheels, rim material, rear view mirrors and drivers’ safety equipment in the cockpit. For LMP2, there were amendments to regulations for rear view mirror visibility, and costs of both engines and new safety equipment.
The WMSC approved a series of updates to the sporting regulations of the FIA World Endurance Championship, including confirmation that LMP2 engine number limitations are not considered for the Prologue, and the confirmation of an 80km/h speed limit for all drivers during a red flag period.
FIA World Touring Car Championship
Technical regulations were refined to define the minimum technical requirements for touring cars entering WTCC events. These cars will be defined in two levels, both positioned below the WTCC Super 2000 cars;
– TCN1 – comparable to cars in BTCC
– TCN2 – comparable to cars in TCR international series
In addition, TCN2 cars will now be eligible to enter the FIA European Touring Car Championship.
CIK-FIA
The 2016 calendar for the CIK-FIA Championships, Cups and Trophies was agreed by the WMSC.
|
24 April |
Essay, France |
CIK-FIA European KZ Championship CIK-FIA European KZ2 Championship CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy |
|
15 May |
Zuera, Spain |
CIK-FIA European Championship CIK-FIA European Junior Championship CIK-FIA European KZ Championship |
|
5 June |
Adria, Italy |
CIK-FIA European Championship CIK-FIA European Junior Championship CIK-FIA European KZ2 Championship |
|
26 June |
Portimao, Portugal |
CIK-FIA European Championship CIK-FIA European Junior Championship CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy |
|
31 July |
Genk, Belgium |
CIK-FIA European Championship CIK-FIA European Junior Championship CIK-FIA European KZ Championship CIK-FIA European KZ2 Championship |
|
4 September |
Kristianstad, Sweden |
CIK-FIA World KZ Championship CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy CIK-FIA International KZ2 Super Cup |
|
20 November |
Bahrain |
CIK-FIA World Championship CIK-FIA World Junior Championship |
FIA Drag Racing European Championship
The WMSC approved the following provisional calendar for the 2016 FIA Drag Racing European Championship:
|
3 May |
Santa Pod |
Great Britain* |
|
5 June |
Tierp Arena |
Sweden |
|
10 July |
Alastaro |
Finland |
|
21 August |
Hockenheim |
Germany* |
|
28 August |
Tierp Arena |
Sweden |
|
11 September |
Santa Pod |
Great Britain |
*subject to ASN registration
FIA Alternative Energies Cup
The eighth round of the FIA Alternative Energies Cup, the Tesla Rally in Serbia, scheduled for 17-18 October 2015 has been cancelled due to organizer issues.
FIA World Rally Championship
The WMSC approved the composition of the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship calendar, with 14 events (dates to be confirmed). They are, in alphabetical order:
– Argentina
– Australia
– China*
– Finland
– France**
– Germany
– Great Britain
– Italy
– Mexico
– Monte Carlo**
– Poland
– Portugal
– Spain
– Sweden
*Subject to fulfilments of the FIA following Candidate Event in August 2015.
**Subject to formalization of agreed terms and conditions between WRC Promoter, FIA and the Event before 30 November, 2015.
In the interests of both safety and fairness, from 2016 P1 competitors running under Rally 2 regulations will re-start last in the P1 group.
From 2016, a minimum of 51% of a rally itinerary must have been completed for full points to be awarded. If not, only half points will be allocated.
The restrictor size of the S2000-Rally 1.6T car will be decreased from the start of the 2016 season, to clearly position R5 as the top car in the FIA WRC 2 Championship.
The FIA Production Car Cup will cease at the end of 2015.
To reduce engine running costs in Group R2, and to reposition performance relative to Groups R1 and R3, specific regulations for supercharged engines will be introduced to reduce R2 car performance.
FIA World Rallycross Championship
The WMSC approved a change of venue for the final round of the 2015 championship. The Argentine round is now scheduled to take place at the Rosario Circuit on 27-29 November, pending final approval of the circuit and final agreement between the championship promoter and local organizer.
FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies
The calendar for the 2016 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies was approved:
|
19-22 February |
Russia |
Baja Russia-Northern Forest |
|
3-7 April |
Abu Dhabi |
Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge |
|
17-22 April |
Qatar |
Sealine Cross Country Rally |
|
8-15 May |
Egypt |
Pharaons Rally |
|
23-26 June |
Italy |
Italian Baja |
|
22-24 July |
Spain |
Baja España Aragon |
|
11-14 August |
Hungary |
Hungarian Baja |
|
25-28 August |
Poland |
Baja Poland |
|
3-8 October |
Morocco |
Rallye du Maroc* |
|
21-23 October |
Portugal |
Baja Portalegre |
*subject to the formal confirmation of the Cross-Country Rally Commission
FIA GT Commission
The sporting regulations for the FIA GT World Cup were approved by the WMSC.
A series of updates to the technical regulations were passed on subjects such as the non-eligibility of four-door models, the distance between the helmet and the headrest, and the implementation of racing nets.
There were also amendments made to the FIA Driver Categorization regulations concerning the criteria to be considered for the categories of Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.
The WMSC confirmed the choice of Pirelli as the official tire supplier for the FIA GT World Cup. In addition, P1 Racing Fuels Limited has been selected as the exclusive fuel supplier for the Macau Grand Prix (both FIA GT World Cup and FIA F3 Intercontinental Cup events).
FIA Rally Commission
The FIA announced the development of an action plan for Rally Safety at all levels – the action plan will include the creation of a task force of experts, communication to ASNs on the importance of adopting FIA Safety standards, a study into the feasibility of limiting ‘pirate’ events that are not sanctioned by ASNs, and the development and implementation of a communication plan for spectators.
The WMSC approved the introduction of a new 4WD car homologation consisting of a homologated kit to be applicable to a large number of road cars currently available on the market. The new homologation will be eligible in Regional and National Championships, and will sit between R3 and R5 in costs and performance.
In order to harmonize with the WRC, the FIA European Rally Championship will adopt the same time penalties for competitors not completing all stages. In addition, from 2016 priority drivers will have a restricted tire quantity.
FIA Drivers’ Commission
The creation of a Young Driver Training program was introduced. This will be created by the Drivers’ Commission, in conjunction with the Single-Seater and Safety. Under the Action for Sport Safety plan, it would be mandatory for young kart drivers or beginners wishing to graduate to FIA F4 and F3 championships.
FIA Medical Commission
The FIA will commence deployment of its Race True anti-doping educational program in 2016 for drivers competing in FIA championships; Formula One, WRC, WEC, World RX, WTCC, Formula E and Formula 3.