World motorsport council decisions: rim and fuel system suppliers appointed, Le Mans hypercar team limits

Hosted by FIA President Jean Todt and FIA Deputy President for Sport, Graham Stoker, the World Motor Sport Council gathered today in Paris during the 2019 Annual General Assembly for its fourth and final meeting of the year.

The following is a summary of the meeting and the main decisions taken:

FIA Formula One World Championship

The Council approved a number of changes to the 2020 Technical and Sporting Regulations, including:

• Wording relating to the sampling and testing of fuel at the events to incorporate reference declarations
• The reinstatement of the chequered flag as the definitive end-of-race signal
• Wording to prevent teams from covering their cars during winter testing, in order to make these events more appealing to the media and fans
• Minor corrections and adjustments to articles in both sets of Regulations

The Council confirmed the appointment of BBS as the single supplier of wheel rims starting in 2021, following its pre-selection on 5 July 2019. A consultation phase with the teams and BBS was conducted under the arbitration of the FIA Technical Department, with some resultant minor changes to the initial specification being approved today.

Following the pre-selection of Magneti Marelli for the fuel primer pump, and of Bosch for the high pressure fuel pump and piping by the Council on 30 July 2019, a phase of consultation with the teams, Power Unit manufacturers and the two prospective suppliers was conducted under the arbitration of the FIA Technical Department. Today, the Council proceeded to final appointment of the two suppliers.

Changing for 2020 is the allowance of an additional MGU-K, bringing the allowed items up from 2 to three. Further changes will still incur grid penalties as has been the case in recent years.

Update 2020 sporting regulations: https://t.co/7TAYb3cfZu
Updated 2020 technical regulations: https://t.co/QndzdeNAhl

FIA World Endurance Championship

Competitors in the Le Mans Hypercar category in the FIA World Endurance Championship must enter a homologated car under the name of an automotive brand.

A personnel limitation has been introduced in the Le Mans Hypercar category, with a maximum of 40 operational staff permitted, or 43 for Competitors entering a car homologated with an ERS.

The nomenclature of World Championship titles is agreed as follows:

• FIA World Endurance Drivers’ Champion (Le Mans Hypercar)
• FIA World Endurance Champion (Le Mans Hypercar)
• FIA World Endurance Drivers’ Champion (Le Mans GTE)
• FIA World Endurance Manufacturers’ Champion (Le Mans GTE)

New safety measures

The findings of the Spa Formula 2 Accident Investigation were presented to the Council, together with recommended actions. Further communication will follow later this month.

A new standard of racing nets, one of the most cost-effective pieces of safety equipment, has been approved in order to complete the 360° cockpit protection for drivers participating in circuit events. Due to the difficulties in effectively installing the nets, an alternative installation proposal by attaching the racing nets directly to the seat was approved. This solution allows the nets to be positioned closer to the driver.