Geneva team summit tweaks rules, keeps double points
An extraordinary meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) took place today in Geneva, Switzerland, one day after a meeting of the F1 strategy group where teams discussed how the sport should move forward.
Jean Todt reaffirmed to members of the WMSC the FIA’s intention to assure a healthy, affordable and spectacular FIA Formula One World Championship for the long-term future. The day before, the meeting between teams and attended by Bernie Ecclestone resulted in agreement that cost reduction and cost control regulations will be presented to the WMSC in June 2014 for introduction in January 2015.
Much to the disappointment of many, the proposed double points allocation for the final race of the season has not been thoroughly discussed and will not be scrapped. This means that, for the sole purpose of keeping the championship alive as long as possible, double points can be scored at the final event, whereas a reliability problem will become a very troubling issue for any driver fighting for the championship at the end of the season.
The WMSC meeting resulting in a number of amendments to the 2014 Sporting and Technical Regulations, albeit they are still subject to ratification by the F1 Commission and teams.
- The Stewards may now impose a five second time penalty which can be taken before work is carried out on the car in a pit stop
- Team personnel must also wear helmets during qualifying, as well as the race
- Drivers may not stop on the slowing down lap to save fuel for sampling and subsequent analysis; this will not be considered justifiable reason for stopping
- For 2014 only, each team will be allowed six curfew ‘jokers’, previously there were two permitted. This is to allow more flexibility for working on the new engines and cars
- The weight of the car, without fuel, must not be less than 691kg at all times during the Event. The weight limit has increased by 1kg to take into account the difference in weight between the tyres in 2013 and 2014.
