The F1 Commission took certain decisions with regards to matters relating to 2025 season and touched on the FIA regulations related to 2026.
The F1 Commission met for the fifth time in 2024 in Geneva – this time – to discuss matters relating to the 2025 season and also looking ahead at 2026. For immediate changes, they approved a range of technical changes for next year relating to driver cooling kit for races with high heat intensity.
They also agreed to discuss on grid formation especially when a car withdraws from an event, relating to the recent happening in Brazil GP. Additionally, the rookie sprint race is further pushed to 2026 now. After discussions to potentially hold it in 2025, it has been deferred again.
Looking ahead to 2026, further progress was made with regards to how the regulations will be written under different sections whether technical, sporting and financial. The FIA also noted about gender-neutral writing of the regulation to promote inclusivity.
Here’s a brief note –
2025 Technical Matters:
- The commission has approved a range of technical changes for the 2025 season including the introduction of a driver cooling kit when heat hazard gets declared following encouraging test results.
2025 Sporting Matters:
- Building on discussions prompted by the recent São Paulo Grand Prix, the Commission has confirmed a revised protocol for closing up the grid when a team withdraws a car.
- The rookie sprint race initiative was also revisited. The commission remains interested in the concept and will consider it further in 2025 with the aim of having a rookie sprint race in 2026.
2025 Financial Regulations Matters:
- The Commission approved further measures to expand the exclusion of sustainability initiative costs from the financial regulations for 2025.
2026 Regulations –
- The regulatory drafting process for 2026 has progressed significantly. Section A, designed to establish a cohesive framework for all subsequent sections, is expected to be presented at the first World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) meeting in 2025.
- In Section B, revisions to the Sporting Regulations will incorporate gender-neutral language, highlighting the FIA’s commitment to inclusivity across the board.
- The commission has been updated on the progresses made with the teams and the Technical Regulations (section C) should reach completion in time for the next WMSC. The overarching objectives in terms of starting level of performance are likely to be achieved.
- Regarding the Financial Regulations (Section D), measures to strengthen confidentiality provisions during investigations and other procedural matters were discussed.
In other news, Liberty Media Corporation announced that its CEO Greg Maffei will leave his role at the end of his tenure in 2024, and his place will be filled by Chairman John Malone on an interim basis. Maffei will switch to a Senior Advisor role for a seamless transition.
Maffei has been the key personnel in Liberty Media’s takeover of F1 and is pushing to buyout MotoGP as well. “On behalf of the Liberty Media board, I’d like to thank Greg for his leadership, creativity and dedication,” said Malone. “Since joining in 2005, Greg has been at the forefront of the exciting evolution in the lifecycle of Liberty.
“He has grown our asset base and made the company better and more valuable for shareholders, along the way overseeing as many as five separate public companies simultaneously. Especially following today’s transaction announcements, our company is simpler and more focused than ever before, which is a perfect capstone for Greg’s accomplished career at Liberty.
“I wish Greg continued success as he embarks on his next chapter and appreciate his continued support as an Advisor. Looking ahead, I am acutely focused on rationalizing the structural discounts at Liberty Media and growing our attractive, cash generative businesses. We have built a fantastic company with high-quality assets in media, communications, sports and entertainment. I look forward to working with our executive team to uncover new opportunities for shareholder value creation.”
Meanwhile, Maffei added: “The almost 20 years I have spent at the helm of Liberty Media have been incredibly rewarding, stimulating and endlessly eventful. Following today’s announcements at Liberty Media and Liberty Broadband, all the Liberty acquisitions completed during my tenure are now in structures where shareholders can have more direct ownership in their upside.
“The corporate structure is optimized, and the portfolio companies are in strong positions with talented executive teams in place. While it’s never easy to leave an organization as dynamic as Liberty, I am confident that this is the right time. I have thoroughly enjoyed working alongside and learning from John, our board, the management teams at Liberty and across the family of companies and our shareholders.”
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