An important meeting was held on February 21st F1 Commissions, a working group that serves to plan sporting, technical and economic topics of Formula 1. One of the important innovations concerns theassenza di Mohamed Ben Sulayem, the president of the FIA. In place of him, as leaked from many sides, he presented himself Nicholas Tombazis, the director of the single-seater sector of the FIA. With him were the CEO and President of Formula 1, Stefano domenicali, and representatives of manufacturers and engine manufacturers.
No more tire warmers in F1 for the full wet tires from Imola
The first topic that has led to a lively interest in the future concerns Pirelli. Indeed, the Italian tire supplier has developed a new type of full wet mix. Such compound, which should be available since Made in Italy and Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, turns out to be more performing than the previous one. Furthermore, and this is the important element, does not require electric blankets to reach the usage window. Given the desire to completely remove the electric blankets, this is a first step by Pirelli in this direction.
Aerodynamic updates for wet racing
In November 2022, the last meeting of the F1 Commissions he had resolved to study specific aerodynamic updates for wet racing. In this case, a standard kit is being studied that allows the reduction of the cloud of water raised by the cars towards the chasing competitors. This update does not fall within the economic limits of the cost cap, nor within the wind tunnel and CFD times. The track tests should be held between April and September of this year.
Changes to some circuits: fourth DRS zone in Melbourne
Within the meeting, changes were also decided to be made in some circuits, whether for safety or entertainment reasons. Let's see what it is:
- Bahrain: Changes to DRS zones (both wing span and gap detection points)
- Saudi Arabia: Changes to DRS zones (both wing spread and gap sensing points), runway changes to aid visibility into corner entry
- Australia: changes to DRS zones (both wing spread and gap detection points), addition of a 2022th DRS zone (presumably where it was tested in 10, i.e. between curve 11 and XNUMX)
- Azerbaijan: changes to DRS zones (both wing spread and gap detection points), resurfacing of entire runway
- Miami: changes to DRS zones (both wing spread and gap detection points), resurfacing of entire runway
- Netherlands: Increased space between pit pitches by 1,5 metres
These changes will be implemented reasonably quickly, given that the Formula 1 World Championship starts next week.
Lighter penalties, but pay attention to the white pit line
After a season studded with controversy over the penalty points on the superlicence, fluctuating and variable based on the stewards' decision, the direction that has been decided for 2023 sees some changes. From this year, in fact, the points on the super license will be limited exclusively to violations for dangerous driving. No points will then be awarded for violating track limits, which took many drivers last year. One of them is Pierre Gasly, which sits with 10 of the 12 points already taken off the superlicense. Alpine tried to get the regulation change retroactive to remove 4 penalty points from Gasly, but met with a negative response from the other teams who didn't want to create a precedent.
A white line that will instead be controlled in an extremely stringent way is that coming out of the pits. After the case of the Monaco Grand Prix, where Verstappen had used the white line without crossing it and in doing so he avoided a penalty. From this year, however, it will be enough touch the white line to trigger the infraction and a penalty of five seconds.
F1 also goes on hiatus in winter, not just in summer
In addition to the classic two-week summer break in which factories and offices must remain strictly closed, the F1 Commission has established the introduction of a winter break, with a still unofficial duration. We proceeded to define with clearer words that any race finished early should have reduced points (after the aftermath of Japan 2022). Furthermore, during the six Sprint weekends, it will be possible to replace some parts that are easily damaged, always after a declaration by the team to the FIA. Finally, the FIA control team will have easier access to the factories to be able to control the limit of the budget cap. The latter was raised for the 1.2nd and 1.8rd races of the season from €XNUMXm to €XNUMXm. The change is due to the increase in transport costs.
So what can we say, except that we have returned to all intents and purposes to a level of activity that indicates only one thing: F1 is back.
