Following the F1 Commission meeting, the FIA (International Automobile Federation) has announced the chassis regulation goals for the 2026 F1 car that will be introduced with the next-generation F1 power unit.
In December of last year, the so-called “four pillars” of the 2026 F1 power unit, which abolished the MGU-K and increased the hybrid output to 350kw, was announced. The goals were “maintaining the spectacle,” “environmental sustainability,” “economic sustainability,” and making F1 “attractive to new power unit makers.”
The FIA has set several key goals to achieve these power unit goals “related to performance parameters, sustainability and financial regulation”.
However, significant changes will also be made to the chassis side based on what was achieved by the major technical regulation changes in 2022.
The FIA stated that it presented the F1 Commission with “key goals related to performance parameters, sustainability and financial regulation” and provided “positive feedback”.
The statement includes six targets:
1) Greatly reduce drag to improve sustainability and efficiency and complement the characteristics of the power unit.
2) Maintain and improve recent lessons learned about close combat and the ability of cars to follow each other.
3) Reduce the dimensions of the car.
4) Reduce or stop the mass of the car.
5) Sustainability. Continue on the path to standardization or simplification of strategically selected components for cost savings. Expand the use of sustainable materials and technologies and focus on recyclability.
6) Continuous innovation in vehicle safety, transition to an active and connected safety system.
The FIA also confirmed at the F1 Commission meeting in London that it had “in principle” agreed to increase the number of sprint events in the 2023 calendar to six.
F1 initially planned to host six sprint events in 2022, but the idea was shelved because no agreement could be reached on the impact on cost caps.
Red Bull is understood to have been the loudest opponent of the increase to six sprints in 2022, with F1 having an additional $ 150,000 financial margin per sprint event3. It was decided to hold one sprint event.
In addition, there is a $ 100,000 reserve per vehicle in case of damage to the sprint, and there is room to apply for more in the event of a major collision.
The impact of cost caps is one of the question marks that hasn’t been explicitly resolved before the plan is completed, but it’s almost certain that six sprints will take place in 2023.
According to a statement from the FIA, the F1 team is “cooperative” with the increase to six sprint events, “while supporting the principle of increasing sprint events, the FIA gives this proposal to trackside operations and personnel. We continue to assess the impact and provide feedback to the Commission. “
The F1 Commission is also known for discussing issues related to cost caps, especially in response to inflation.
There is a system called “indexation” in the cost cap, but I don’t feel that it is sufficiently responsive to the recent rapid increase in inflation. Inflation in particular is affecting freight costs.
The Treasury Working Group is tasked with developing proposals to tackle this more effectively, especially under pressure from large teams.
In a speech at Imola last weekend, F1 managing director Ross Brawn said he was confident that fiscal regulations would change to resolve the issue.
“Inflation was relatively low and predictable when these rules were developed, but now it is high and unpredictable, so the increase in inflation needs to be reviewed,” Ross Brawn said.
“And when you look at the inflation rates that apply to industrial companies like the F1 team, there are a lot of things that are currently proven to be quite expensive, such as electricity and raw materials, so there is a solution. I think “
The helmet-mounted camera, which was piloted in 2021 and used in earlier races this year, will also be mandatory next year. This proposal was “unanimously approved”.
The F1 Commission has also agreed to try reducing slick tire quotas from 13 sets to 11 sets at two events in the 2023 season.
“It is an assessment of the impact of reducing tire allocation on trucking, and is generally intended to shift to more sustainable use of tires in the future.”
Category: Category: F1 / F1 machine
