FIA Announces World Motor Sport Council Decisions
The following is a summary of the key decisions taken during the meeting:
FIA Formula One World Championship
Several amendments to the Sporting and Technical Regulations for 2018 were approved. These included:
- Regulations relating to procedures for starting or resuming a race behind the safety car
- Changing the event timetable to increase flexibility
- Ensuring that testing of previous cars may only take place on tracks currently holding an FIA Grade 1 or 1T license
- Provision for demonstration events in previous cars which does not constitute testing. No such demonstrations may exceed 50km in length and only tires manufactured specifically for this purpose by the appointed supplier may be used
- Changes to ensure that oil cannot be used as fuel
- Introduction of a detailed specification for oil
- A minimum weight and volume for energy storage (batteries)
- Changes to position of cameras and wing mirrors to accommodate the Halo
A change to the power unit penalty system was also approved, whereby if a driver incurs a penalty exceeding 15 grid places he will be required to start the race from the back of the starting grid. If more than one driver receives such a penalty they will be arranged at the back of the grid in the order in which the offences were committed.
The World Council was presented with the report on the security incidents that occurred at this year’s Brazilian Grand Prix which was requested from the Commercial Rights Holder (CRH) by the FIA. Following the report, the CRH recommended that the promoter, who is responsible for the security of the event, retains an independent security expert to evaluate and advise on security plans, implements a police reporting hub at the circuit and improves overall communication between the promoter security, police and F1 stakeholders. The World Council strongly urged the promoter to implement these recommendations and improve the situation ahead of next year’s event. The FIA will offer to participate in discussions with the local authorities and closely monitor the situation.
The 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship Calendar is confirmed as:
25 March |
Australia |
Melbourne |
08 April |
Bahrain |
Bahrain |
15 April |
China |
Shanghai |
29 April |
Azerbaijan |
Baku |
13 May |
Spain |
Barcelona |
27 May |
Monaco |
Monte Carlo |
10 June |
Canada |
Montreal |
24 June |
France |
Le Castellet |
01 July |
Austria |
Spielberg |
08 July |
United Kingdom |
Silverstone |
22 July |
Germany |
Hockenheim |
29 July |
Hungary |
Budapest |
26 August |
Belgium |
Spa-Francorchamps |
02 September |
Italy |
Monza |
16 September |
Singapore |
Singapore |
30 September |
Russia |
Sochi |
07 October |
Japan |
Suzuka |
21 October |
USA |
Austin* |
28 October |
Mexico |
Mexico City |
11 November |
Brazil |
Sao Paolo |
25 November |
United Arab Emirates |
Abu Dhabi |
*Subject to ASN approval
FIA World Rally Championship
From 2018, private teams or individual drivers will be permitted to enter 2017 specification World Rally Cars on WRC events, without the obligation to be entered by a manufacturer. Such entries will remain subject to the approval of the FIA Rally Department, and specific restrictions on testing will apply.
The FIA confirms DMACK, Michelin and Pirelli as the nominated tire suppliers for the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship.
The FIA WRC 2 Championship will continue to be contested over seven events, with the best six scores counting towards the title. However there will no longer be mandatory rallies.
From next season, drivers entered with R5 cars who are not registered in the FIA WRC 2 Championship, or who have not been entered by a registered WRC 2 Team during the year, may use any tire brand, including those not nominated by the FIA for the WRC. This will ensure more local drivers have the possibility to compete in WRC events.
There will be no WRC Trophy title from 2018, although 2016 World Rally Cars remain eligible in the Championship.
The calendar for the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship is:
26"28 January |
Monaco |
Rally of Monte Carlo |
16"18 February |
Sweden |
Rally of Sweden |
09"11 March |
Mexico |
Rally of Mexico |
06"08 April |
France |
Rally of France"Tour de Corse |
27"29 April |
Argentina |
Rally of Argentina |
18"20 May |
Portugal |
Rally of Portugal |
08"10 June |
Italy |
Rally of Italy |
27"29 July |
Finland |
Rally of Finland |
17"19 August |
Germany |
Rally of Germany |
14"16 September |
Turkey |
Rally of Turkey |
05"07 October |
Great Britain |
Rally of Great"Britain |
26"28 October |
Spain |
Rally of Spain |
16"18 November |
Australia |
Rally of Australia |
FIA World Endurance Championship
The following four World Championship titles will be awarded:
- FIA World Endurance Championship for LMP Drivers
- FIA World Endurance Championship for LMP1 Teams
- FIA World Endurance Championship for LMGTE Drivers
- FIA World Endurance Championship for LMGTE Manufacturers
The following Trophies will be awarded: An FIA Endurance Trophy awarded to the best LMP2 team; An FIA Endurance Trophy awarded to the best LMGTE AM team; An FIA Endurance Trophy awarded to the best LMP2 driver(s); An FIA Endurance Trophy awarded to the best LMGTE AM driver(s).
A number of changes to the Sporting and Technical Regulations were approved, including:
- Hybrid and non-hybrid LMP1 cars will now compete together
- A series of proposals to homogenize the performance of the hybrid LMP1s and non-hybrid LMP1s
- Modification of the allocation of points for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and for the 1500 Miles of Sebring: 1500 Miles of Sebring (32 points, +25% in relation to a 6-hour race), 24 Hours of Le Mans (points reduced from 50 to 38 points; +50% in relation to a 6-hour race).
- Update of the regulations regarding the pit lane, allowing tire changes and other work (such as bodywork cleaning or brake checks) during refuelling
- The World Champion title from now on be awarded to a team of the LMP1 category and no longer to a manufacturer
- The entry fee for the LMP1 class will be €310,000
The 2018/19 FIA World Endurance Championship Calendar is:
05 May |
Belgium |
WEC 6 Hours of Spa"Francorchamps* |
16"17 June |
France |
Le Mans 24 Hours* |
19 August |
Great Britain |
6 Hours of Silverstone* |
21 October |
Japan |
6 Hours of Fuji* |
18 November |
China |
6 Hours of Shanghai* |
16"17 March (2019) |
USA |
1500 Miles of Sebring * |
04 May (2019) |
Belgium |
WEC 6 Hours of Spa"Francorchamps* |
15"16 June (2019) |
France |
24 Hours of Le Mans * |
*Subject to ASN confirmation
FIA World Rallycross Championship
Several measures have been approved for the 2018 World RX to better control costs. These include new limitations on engines, turbos, tires, gearbox ratios and aerodynamic devices.
The 2018 FIA World Rallycross Championship calendar is:
13"15 April |
Spain |
Barcelona |
27"29 April |
Portugal |
Montalegre** |
10"13 May |
Belgium |
Mettet** |
25"27 May |
Great Britain |
Silverstone*/** |
07"10 June |
Norway |
Hell"Lanke** |
28 June " 01 July |
Sweden |
Holjes |
03"05 August |
Canada |
Trois"Rivières** |
30 August " 02 September |
France |
Loheac |
14"16 September |
Latvia |
Riga |
28"30 September |
USA |
Austin*/** |
12"14 October |
Germany |
Buxtehude** |
23"25 November |
South Africa |
Cape Town*/** |
*Subject to ASN confirmation
** Subject to circuit homologation
FIA Touring Car
The World Council confirmed that the FIA World Touring Car Championship and its associated brand will cease on 8 December. A new FIA World Cup will be introduced for 2018/2019 called WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup, which will be promoted by Eurosport Events Limited.
The Cup will run to FIA TCR Regulations for 2018-19 which will remain frozen for this period. Only TCR cars with an FIA World Cup passport delivered by the FIA will be eligible to compete.
The Cup will replace the TCR International Series and is for private entries only, with no manufacturer title or entries permitted. A minimum of two cars per team must be entered, with a fee of €150,000 applicable for a two-car team. There will be a maximum entry of 26 cars, and FIA-validated balance of performance and success ballast systems will be implemented.
Official tire and fuel suppliers, as well as the 2018 calendar, will be confirmed in due course.
FIA Formula 2 Championship
Updates were approved to the Sporting Regulations to ensure they are consistent with the changes made to the F1 Sporting Regulations for 2018.
The 2018 FIA Formula 2 Calendar is:
08 April |
Bahrain |
Sakhir |
29 April |
Azerbaijan |
Baku |
13 May |
Spain |
Barcelona |
26 May |
Monaco |
Monte"Carlo |
24 June |
France |
Le Castellet |
01 July |
Austria |
Spielberg |
08 July |
Great Britain |
Silverstone |
29 July |
Hungary |
Budapest |
26 August |
Belgium |
Spa"Francorchamps |
02 September |
Italy |
Monza |
30 September |
Russia |
Sochi |
25 November |
UAE |
Yas Marina |
FIA Formula 3 European Championship
Several changes to the Sporting Regulations were approved to bring them more into line with the changes made to the F1 Sporting Regulations for 2018.
The FIA has implemented a detailed structure for prize money for drivers, rookies and teams.
The 2018 FIA Formula 3 European Championship Calendar is:
13 May |
France |
Pau |
03 June |
Hungary |
Hungaroring |
24 June |
Germany |
Norisring |
15 July |
Netherlands |
Zandvoort |
28 July |
Belgium |
Spa-Francorchamps |
19 August |
Great Britain |
Silverstone |
26 August |
Italy |
Misano |
09 September |
Germany |
Nürburgring |
23 September |
Austria |
Red Bull Ring – Spielberg |
14 October |
Germany |
Hockenheim |
FIA Formula E Championship
The 2017-18 FIA Formula E Championship has already begun, with two races taking place in 2017. There has been an amendment to the calendar which was approved by the World Council, with the event in Sao Paulo, Brazil replaced by Punta del Este, Uruguay. The full calendar, with the championship resuming in 2018, is:
02 December 2017 |
China |
Hong Kong |
03 December 2017 |
China |
Hong Kong |
13 January 2018 |
Morocco |
Marrakech |
03 February 2018 |
Chile |
Santiago de Chile*/** |
03 March 2018 |
Mexico |
Mexico City |
17 March 2018 |
Uruguay |
Punta del Este*/** |
14 April 2018 |
Italy |
Rome** |
28 April 2018 |
France |
Paris |
19 May 2018 |
Germany |
Berlin |
10 June 2018 |
Switzerland |
Zurich*/** |
14 July 2018 |
USA |
New York |
15 July 2018 |
USA |
New York |
28 July 2018 |
Canada |
Montreal |
29 July 2018 |
Canada |
Montreal |
*Subject to ASN confirmation
** Subject to circuit homologation
Single-Seater Commission
The creation of Sporting Regulations governing future F3 Regional Championships certified by the FIA was approved.
The Single-Seater Commission was granted approval to create two F3 Regional Championships in the Americas and Asia.
A full update of the F3 Technical Regulations applicable to both F3 International from 2019 and F3 Regional from 2018 was approved. This will introduce newly-developed safety requirements, as well as updated bodywork and powertrain regulations.
The introduction of F3 Regional Homologation Regulations was proposed and accepted. Based on the successful F4 concept, Homologation Regulations specific to F3 Regional have been developed, with the main target of these regulations being to keep the costs, performance and homologation procedure of F3 Regional cars under control.
Formula 4 Championships Certified by FIA will now be able to race in neighboring countries regardless of whether that country has its own championship.
The F4 French Championship, Certified by FIA, will launch in 2018 and use a Mygale chassis and Renault engine.
The introduction of the second generation F4 car will be postponed until end of 2023. F4 cars featuring the Halo update kit, which has to include a new survival cell, will be available from 2019 for any new championships as well as any ASN wishing to change.
It will be optional for all ASNs running F4 championships using the current cars, but mandatory for new F4 championship(s) starting in 2019. Upon request, the life of the current cars could be extended until the end of 2023 (with no Halo). The cost of the new car will be the same as the current car plus the cost for any additional safety equipment (i.e. the halo and its installation).
GT Commission
A series of technical measures are proposed in order to harmonize the LMGTE and GT3 regulations.
Rally Commission
To increase participation by reducing costs, only the four best results will count towards the final classification of ERC 2.
From 2018 it will no longer be necessary to register for the FIA African Rally Championship, enabling more crews to score points in the series. To aid cost reduction, the minimum total distance of special stages has also been decreased to 150 kilometers and competitors who have retired will be permitted to restart under Rally 2 regulations.
To help increase participation, a Cup will be created for competitors driving SUV cars in the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. Homologation of these vehicles will be completed by individual ASNs for final approval by the APRC Executive Committee.
The 2018 FIA European Rally Championship calendar is:
22-24 March |
Azores Airlines Rallye |
Portugal, gravel, ERC Junior |
3-5 May |
Rally Islas Canarias |
Spain, asphalt ERC Junior |
1-3 June |
Acropolis Rally |
Greece, gravel* |
15-17 June |
Cyprus Rally |
Cyprus, gravel |
22-22 July |
Rally di Roma Capitale |
Italy, asphalt ERC Junior |
24-26 August |
Barum Czech Rally ZlÃn |
Czech Republic, asphalt, ERC Junior |
21-23 September |
Rally Poland |
Poland, gravel, ERC Junior |
12-14 October |
Rally Liepaja |
Latvia, gravel, ERC Junior |
*Subject to signing of event promoter agreement
The 2018 FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship calendar is:
05"06 May |
New Zealand |
Whangarei |
01"03 June |
Australia |
Canberra |
21"22 July |
Malaysia |
Johor |
15"16 September |
Japan |
Hokkaido |
20"21 October |
China |
Longyou |
01"02 December |
India |
Chikmagalur |
The 2018 FIA Middle East Rally Championship calendar is:
03"05 May |
Jordan |
Jordan Rally |
15"17 June |
Cyprus |
Cyprus Rally |
06"08 or 13"15 July |
Lebanon |
Rally of Lebanon |
05"07 September |
Iran |
Iran International Rally |
01"03 November |
Kuwait |
Kuwait International Rally |
15"17 November |
Qatar |
Qatar International Rally |
The 2018 FIA African Rally Championship calendar is:
23"25 February |
Ivory Coast |
Rallye Bandama Côte D'Ivoire |
16"18 March |
Kenya |
Safari Rally Kenya |
19"21 April |
South Africa |
York Rally South Africa |
22"24 June |
Zambia |
Zambia International Rally |
20"22 July |
Uganda |
Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally |
24"26 August |
Tanzania |
Rally of Tanzania |
21"23 September |
Rwanda |
Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally |
The 2018 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies calendar is:
16"18 February |
Russia |
Baja Russia"Northern Forest |
10"11 March |
UAE |
Dubai International Baja |
24"29 March or 01"06 April |
UAE |
Abu Dhabi Desert ChallengeNOTE |
17"22 April |
Qatar |
Qatar Cross"Country RallyNOTE |
27 May " 02 June |
Kazakhstan |
Rally Kazakhstan |
21"24 June |
Italy |
25° Italian Baja |
20"22 July |
Spain |
Baja Espana Arag¢n Teruel |
09"12 August |
Hungary |
XV. Hungarian Baja |
30 August " 02 September |
Poland |
Baja Poland |
07"13 October |
Morocco |
Rallye Oilibya du Maroc |
25"27 October |
Portugal |
32 Baja Portalegre 500NOTE |
Off-Road Commission
The introduction of Technical Regulations Guidelines for ASNs within the launch of the Cross Car project was approved. A RWD single seater buggy type grassroots discipline aimed at helping ASNs to develop their motor sport pyramid and to create a pathway to Rally, Rallycross and Autocross was also agreed.
FIA European Truck Racing Championship
The 2018 FIA European Truck Racing Championship Calendar is:
27 May |
Italy |
Misano |
17 June |
Hungary |
Hungaroring* |
01 July |
Germany |
Nürburgring |
15 July |
Slovakia |
Slovakiaring* |
02 September |
Czech Republic |
Most |
16 September |
Belgium |
Zolder |
30 September |
France |
Le Mans 24 Heures |
07 October |
Spain |
Jarama |
*Subject to ASN confirmation
FIA European Drag Racing Championship
The calendar for the 2018 FIA European Drag Racing Championship is:
28 May |
Great Britain |
Santa Pod** |
10 June |
Sweden |
Tierp Arena |
01 July |
Finland |
Alastaro |
19 August |
Germany |
Hockenheim |
26 August |
Sweden |
Tierp Arena |
09 September |
Great Britain |
Santa Pod ** |
** Subject to circuit homologation
Historic Motor Sport Commission
The World Council approved the launch of a new FIA Historic Formula 3 European Cup – a single event in 2018 taking place on 1-2 September at Zandvoort. The event will be open to F3 cars from 1971 to 1984 split in two categories: 1971-1978 and 1979-1984.
Two new events will be included in the FIA Historic Hill Climb Championship, with Bieszczadzki (POL) and Ustecka 21 (CZE). The Nations Cup, which is part of the championship, will now have its classification established across the whole season rather than being based on the Championship final event only in 2016 and 2017.
Several changes to the FIA Masters Historic Championships (F1 and Sports Car) were approved, including the creation of a special Cup for drivers aged over 60 in both Championships.
The calendar for the FIA Lurani Trophy for Formula Junior Cars is:
20"22 April |
Germany |
Hockenheim |
26"27 May |
Belgium |
Zolder |
TBC |
Italy |
Monza |
10"12 August |
Germany |
Nürburgring |
31 August – 02 September |
Netherlands |
Zandvoort |
12"14 October |
France |
Dijon |
The calendar for the FIA Masters Historic Championships is:
20"22 April |
Italy |
Imola* |
26"27 May |
Great Britain |
Brands Hatch GP |
22"24 June |
Czech Republic |
Most |
20"22 July |
Great Britain |
Silverstone |
10"12 August |
Germany |
Nürburgring |
31 August " 02 September |
Netherlands |
Zandvoort |
14"16 September |
Belgium |
Spa"Francorchamps* |
12"14 October |
France |
Dijon |
*Subject to ASN confirmation
The 2018 FIA European Historic Sporting Rally Championship calendar is:
16"17 March |
Spain |
66 Rally Moritz Costa Brava |
20"21 April |
Czech Republic |
27 Historic Vltava Rally |
24"26 May |
Spain |
10 Rally Asturias Historico |
21"23 June |
Belgium |
Ypres Historic Rally |
10"11 August |
Finland |
Lahti Historic Rally |
30 August " 01 September |
Italy |
23 Rally Alpi Orientali Historic* |
20"22 September |
Italy |
XXX Rally Elba Storico |
12"13 October |
Hungary |
51 Mecsek Rally |
*Subject to ASN confirmation
Hill Climb
The 2018 FIA European Hill Climb Championship calendar is:
13"15 April |
France |
St Jean du Gard " Col St Pierre |
20"22 April |
Austria |
Rechberg |
11"13 May |
Portugal |
Rampa Internacional da FalperraNOTE |
18"20 May |
Spain |
Subida Internacional al Fito |
01"03 June |
Czech Republic |
Ecce Homo Sternberk |
08"10 June |
EU |
ADAC Glasbachrennen |
22"24 June |
Italy |
Coppa Paolino Teodori |
20"22 July |
Slovakia |
Dobsinsky kopec |
27"29 July |
Poland |
Limanowa |
17"19 August |
Switzerland |
St. Ursanne " Les Rangiers |
31 August " 02 September |
Slovenia |
GHD Petrol Ilirska Bistrica |
14"16 September |
Croatia |
Buzetski dani |
The calendar for the 2018 FIA International Hill Climb Cup is:
11"13 May |
Poland |
Bieszczadzki |
18"20 May |
Slovakia |
Moris Cup Jahodná |
25"27 May |
Italy |
Verzegnis Sella Chianzutan |
15"17 June |
Slovenia |
GHD Gorjanci |
30 June " 01 July |
Italy |
Trento Bondone |
03"05 August |
Germany |
ADAC Osnabrück |
10"12 August |
Slovenia |
GHD Lu�ine |
21"23 September |
Austria |
Sankt Agatha |
Electric and New Energy Championships Commission
The 2018 FIA Electric and New Energy Championship calendar is:
11"14 April |
Italy |
3° ECORally Sanremo (E"Rally Regularity) |
18"19 May |
Czech Republic |
7. New Energies Rallye Cesky Krumlov (E"Rally Regularity) |
26"27 May |
Greece |
Hi"Tech EcoMobility Rally 2018 (E"Rally Regularity) |
09"10 June |
Portugal |
Portugal Eco Rally (E"Rally Regularity) |
29 June "01 July |
Czech Republic |
Eco Energy rally Bohemia (E"Rally Regularity) |
27"29 July |
Bulgaria |
Eco"Rally Bulgaria 2018 (E"Rally Regularity) |
03"04 August |
Japan |
Solar Car Race Suzuka 2018 (Solar Cup) |
29 August "01 September |
Poland |
Rally Poland New Energies (E"Rally Regularity) |
20"22 September |
Iceland |
eRally Iceland (E"Rally Regularity) |
24"28 October |
Monaco |
3e eRALLY MONTE"CARLO /19e RALLYE MONTE"CARLO ZEN (E"Rally Regularity) |
17"18 November |
Spain |
Eco Rallye de la Comunitat Valenciana (E"Rally Regularity) |
Safety Commission
The World Council approved the release of a new top-end helmet standard (Advanced Helmet), which offers several safety improvements over the previous highest standard. This is a landmark development that will offer the best protection available in the world. The features are:
- Advanced ballistic protection
- Energy absorption increase
- More rigorous impact testing
- Extended area of protection
This new helmet standard will be implemented in the FIA’s major championships over the coming seasons starting with F1 in 2019.
A new FIA biometric safety standard has been created with the following primary targets:
- Allow full-time biometric monitoring for performance data
- Allow athletes to track their biological data before, during and after racing to improve training, injury prevention and performance
The FIA is working on a project of biometric gloves conforming to this standard which will improve rescue response operations through immediately-available vital biological data as well as assist the decision-making process, even if communication with drivers may not be possible.
New safety regulations for Electric or Hybrid Electric Vehicles were approved and will be uploaded to FIA.com in due course.
Commissions
The members of the FIA Sport Commissions were agreed by the World Council – including those of the new Disability and Accessibility Commission and the new Environment and Sustainability Commission. The constitutions of these commissions will be made public on Friday (8 December) during the General Assembly.
It was confirmed that the President of the Women in Motorsport Commission will, from now on, be a member of the World Motor Sport Council by Right.
International Sporting Code
A number of changes to the International Sporting Code were approved and will now be proposed to the General Assembly. These include provisions for alcohol testing following the removal of the substance from the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances as well as codes to ensure advertising on automobiles that is political or religious in nature or that is prejudicial to the interests of the FIA falls under the authority of the stewards.
Next meeting
The next World Motor Sport Council will meet on 9 March in Geneva