The FIA shared the decisions from the World Motor Sport Council held in Paris as the stress was on the F1 Abu Dhabi GP and 2026 power unit regulations.
With the 2021 FIA Prize Gala to be held on Thursday in Paris, the WMSC met for its General Assembly to discuss various matters related to multiple championships. The big talking point apart from the 2016 power unit regulations was the Abu Dhabi GP.
Before going into the power unit side, the FIA WMSC touched on the 2021 F1 finale which was decided under special circumstances by the Race Direction. The group acknowledged the championship’s image getting tarnished due to the happenings.
It also notes that the decisions has generated multiple debates even among the teams and drivers apart from the fans of the sport. Having been presented with the details of how and what transpired, the FIA President has called for a deep review into the matter.
The idea to understand what can be learnt from the happening together with the teams and drivers involved. A clarity is to be provided to them and also the media and fans about a tightened regulation and calls the F1 Commission for feedback for 2022.
While the FIA WMSC has their say, Mercedes is yet to respond to any of the happenings from Sunday with radio silence from their end thus far. They did not oblige to the photo call of the Prize Gala for earlier today, whether for F1 or Formula E.
The deadline for their appeal is due on Thursday when the FIA Gala is to take place. There is a champions press conference to take place too apart from the drivers and teams collecting their respective trophies for a successful 2021 season.
Aside the Abu Dhabi GP topic, the FIA also cleared some air on the 2026 power unit regulations, with the big move of MGU-H being dropped in or to entice new OEMs. The idea is to retain the 1.6l V6 turbo engine and increase the electrical output to 350kW.
A power unit cap is also proposed while 100% sustainable fuel is also the goal along with powerful and high-revving power unit to increase the show element – much like how it was in the past with the V8s and V12s.
Here’s the initial FIA WMSC statement:
The World Motor Sport Council discussed the remarkable 2021 season, noting that it was undoubtedly the most intense and exciting year of competition in recent memory.
Following the presentation of a report regarding the sequence of events that took place following the incident on Lap 53 of the 2021 FIA Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 12 December and in a constant drive for improvement, the FIA President proposed to the World Motor Sport Council that a detailed analysis and clarification exercise for the future with all relevant parties will now take place. This proposal was accepted, and further details can be found in a separate statement.
2026 Power Unit Regulations
The World Council validated the framework for the 2026 Power Unit Regulation and identified the following key objectives:
- A Powerful Environmental Message: 100% sustainable fuel, overall efficiency, and shift of focus to electrical power
- Significant Cost Reduction: technical, operational and financial regulations
- Newcomers: make it possible for them to join the sport at a competitive level
- Protect the Show: powerful and high-revving power unit, car performance, sound, drivers’ ability to race, avoiding excessive differentiation
The 2026 Power Unit Regulations will be based on 4 pillars:
- Retain the 1.6-litre V6 engine
- Increase electrical power to 350kW
- Eliminate the MGU-H
- Introduction of a Power Unit cost cap
A detailed document of the 2026 Power Unit Regulations will be developed and submitted to the World Motor Sport Council in early 2022.
Various refinements to the 2022 Technical Regulations were also approved. This is the product of a close collaboration in between the Formula 1 teams and the FIA.
Here’s a longer FIA statement from WMSC on Abu Dhabi GP:
The world watched every race with great anticipation, knowing that in the end, there could only be one winner. In this respect, many praised Max Verstappen for his victory, and Lewis Hamilton for his remarkable performance and sportsmanship after the closing event of the season.
The 2021 FIA Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, has prompted a large number of reactions from the F1 community and from motor sport in general, as well as in the public. The FIA’s primary responsibility at any event is to ensure the safety of everyone involved and the integrity of the sport.
The circumstances surrounding the use of the Safety Car following the incident of driver Nicholas Latifi, and the related communications between the FIA Race Direction team and the Formula 1 teams, have notably generated significant misunderstanding and reactions from Formula 1 teams, drivers and fans, an argument that is currently tarnishing the image of the Championship and the due celebration of the first Drivers’ World Championship title won by Max Verstappen and the eighth consecutive Constructors’ World Championship title won by Mercedes.
Following the presentation of a report regarding the sequence of events that took place following the incident on Lap 53 of the Grand Prix and in a constant drive for improvement, the FIA President proposed to the World Motor Sport Council that a detailed analysis and clarification exercise for the future with all relevant parties will now take place.
This matter will be discussed and addressed with all the teams and drivers to draw any lessons from this situation and clarity to be provided to the participants, media, and fans about the current regulations to preserve the competitive nature of our sport while ensuring the safety of the drivers and officials. It is not only Formula 1 that may benefit from this analysis, but also more generally all the other FIA circuit championships.
Following that presentation and an extensive discussion, the World Council has decided to unanimously support the President’s proposal. The FIA will therefore do its utmost to have this in motion within the Formula 1 governance and will propose to the Formula 1 Commission to give a clear mandate for study and proposal to the Sporting Advisory Committee, with the support of Formula 1 drivers, so that any identified meaningful feedback and conclusions be made before the beginning of the 2022 season.
Here’s Lewis Hamilton getting formally knighted
Here’s what others and Lewis Hamilton thought of the situation
Here’s what the FIA stated while dismissing the protest and Mercedes’ appeal