The FIA released details of the F1 Commission meeting from Red Bull Ring, as decision has been taken regarding inflation for Cost Cap plus more.
The F1 Commission held a meeting around the FP1 session in F1 Austrian GP at Red Bull Ring where important decisions were taken regarding the current and the future seasons. One of the big talking point was the inflation hurting teams amid Cost Cap.
It was eventually decided to provide a limited rate of 3.1% increase and compounding of this rate from 2023 to aide the F1 teams to match with the rising inflation. Interestingly, everyone from FIA, Formula 1 and nine teams agreed barring one.
On the technical matter, the porpoising technical directive has been held off until the Belgian GP post the summer break to give F1 teams time to adjust. They are now discussing of tackling the matter in a better way for 2023.
Among others, the FIA is yet to reach to a final agreement on the 2026 power unit regulations, but they note that they are close in doing so. Some other points discussed were related to 2023 pre-season testing and the weekend schedule.
“We are now in the middle of an historic year for Formula 1, with the introduction of completely new regulations which we have seen so far to have been a great success, most clearly shown at Silverstone where many cars were battling for top positions right up until the end of the race. We will continue to develop these regulations in this positive direction, and we will also keep on raising the bar with regard to safety,’ said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Here’s the full thing from the FIA:
Financial Regulations
Rapidly increasing inflation rates since the end of 2021 have affected Formula 1 teams, and it is the opinion of the FIA and Formula 1 that this creates a risk of noncompliance with the Financial Regulations if actions are not taken.
Following consultation with the Financial Advisory Committee over recent weeks, the FIA brought a proposal to the Commission that was approved by the required majority with support from the FIA, Formula 1 and nine of the teams.
The proposal recognises the unexpected increase of costs incurred by teams in 2022 thereby permitting indexation at a limited rate of 3.1% (which takes into account the original 3% inflation threshold already set out in the regulations) and permitting compounding of this rate as from 2023. This will preserve the long-term integrity of the Financial Regulations.
Pre-season testing in 2023
The Commission has decided by majority to update the regulations to allow pre-season testing to take place outside of Europe, four days prior to the first Event of the Championship.
Adjustment to the weekend schedule
One of the principal purposes of the 2022 event format has been to allow some personnel to arrive later, thus reducing the workload on operational staff. To a large extent this has been a success, and after the first half of the season a number of areas for improvement have been identified – specifically in relation to the parc fermé timings after qualifying.
Technical matters
There was a discussion regarding the draft Technical Directive that addresses safety concerns relating to the vertical oscillation of the cars (also referred to as porpoising). Following feedback and consultation with the teams and in order to allow the teams to make necessary updates to the plank and skid assemblies, which will ensure a fair application of the metric used to measure this oscillation across all cars, the implementation of the draft Technical Directive issued to the teams prior to the British Grand Prix will come into effect from the Belgian Grand Prix.
The enhanced controls by the FIA introduced as from the Canadian Grand Prix will continue.
Several proposed actions to address this issue in the 2023 Technical Regulations were also discussed, with clear directions to be taken to the Technical Advisory Committee.
2026 Power Unit
The 2026 Power Unit was discussed by the Commission, and it was confirmed that the package of regulations is close to finalisation.
Note that all regulatory changes are subject to approval by the World Motor Sport Council.
More to come