The different steps in the development of new regulations in F1

We often wonder how the new regulations of Formula 1 are implemented by the FIA. This process generally takes several months to be finalized since many stakeholders are needed and each desired modification must be subject to a vote. But how does this whole process work? Here are the steps required for the development of new regulations in F1.

Step 1: F1 Commission

Responsible for all matters related to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, including amendments to the regulations governing the sport, the F1 Commission is where ideas aimed at improving the championship are generated or presented for the first time.

This commission is made up of one member representing the FIA, one representative from the commercial rights holder (Formula One Group), one member from the 10 teams in the sport, as well as one member representing each of the four existing power unit manufacturers (Honda, Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault). The F1 commission meets at least three times a year, usually before the meetings of the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

It is alternately chaired by the representative of the FIA and the FOM. The F1 Commission distributes a single vote to each team member. The FIA and the FOM each have a number of votes equal to the number of teams participating in the championship (10 votes each). In the case of modifications to the Power Unit Regulations, the representatives of the PU (Power Unit) manufacturers each have one vote.

For a concept to move to the next stage, it must be submitted to a vote and requires a majority. In the case of the Sporting and Technical Regulations of Formula 1, the vote must take place before the end of April of the year prior to the proposed regulatory amendment introduction. Specifically, for a sporting concept to be approved for the 2024 season, it must be voted on before April 30, 2023. A simple majority of 25 out of 30 available votes is required.

However, if the modification is filed after the end of April of the year prior to the introduction of the regulatory amendment, a qualified majority of 28 votes is required. Regarding the modifications made to the PU regulations, the majorities remain the same, plus, in each case, an affirmative vote by at least 50% of the representatives of power unit manufacturers.

Regarding the Financial Regulation, the vote must take place before the end of September of the year preceding the intended regulatory amendment, and once again, a simple majority of 25 out of 30 available votes is required. However, if the amendment is submitted after the end of September of the year preceding the introduction of the regulatory amendment, a qualified majority of 28 votes is required. Amendments can still be made to the regulations for security reasons without following the procedure.

In the case of the modifications made to the format of sprint weekends, the concept of creating an additional qualification session to determine the starting grid of the sprint race was first presented during the F1 commission meeting in London on January 21, 2023. Since the change was made for the current season, a supermajority was required to implement the regulatory change. In this case, approval was unanimous (30 votes out of 30).

Step 2: F1 Advisory Committees

Once approved by the F1 Commission, the regulatory concept is transmitted to one (or several in the case of rules that overlap competences) of the four F1 advisory committees: the F1 Sporting Advisory Committee (SAC) for changes to the F1 Sporting Regulations; the F1 Technical Advisory Committee (CAT) for amendments to the F1 Technical Regulations; the F1 Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) for changes to the F1 Financial Regulations, and the F1 Power Unit Advisory Committee (PUAC) for amendments to the F1 Power Unit Regulations.

Each committee is composed of experts from the FIA, the FOM, F1 teams, and the power unit manufacturer, with team sporting directors (SAC), technical directors (TAC), financial directors (FAC), and representatives from PU suppliers each bringing their expertise.

Although they do not have executive functions, the role of the consultative committees in F1 is to examine the proposals of the F1 commission in light of the probable impact of the proposal on the entire sport and to frame the text of the regulations that encompass the proposal and address any cascading effects in the existing regulations affected by the proposed changes.

Once the advisory committees have completed a draft regulation, it is sent back to Commission F1 for examination. If Commission F1 deems that further modifications are required, it is sent back to the advisory committees for further review. If the project is approved by Commission F1, it is then forwarded to the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) for approval.

Step 3: World Motor Sport Council

The highest decision-making body of the FIA, the WMSC is responsible for all aspects of international motorsport.

This council is composed of the President of the FIA, the Vice-President of the FIA for Sports, the seven Vice-Presidents of the FIA, and 14 full members and five ex-officio members, including the FOM. It meets at least three times a year and decides on the rules and regulations, safety, and development of all disciplines of motor sport.

The WMSC can also adopt changes through electronic voting at any time, as was the case with the regulatory changes that came into effect during the weekend in Baku. Following the F1 Commission meeting on April 25, during which the final draft of the regulation governing the modifications to sprint weekends was approved, the proposal was then submitted to the WMSC through electronic voting, which validated the implementation of the regulatory changes for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Additional Step: FIA Ensures Safety

The improvement of safety in motor racing, for competitors, officials, and spectators, is a guiding principle in the FIA’s activities. Although the path to regulatory change follows a carefully prescribed process, it is foreseen to unilaterally adapt rules for safety reasons.

The FIA can, without the consent of the F1 Commission, modify the Sporting Regulations of F1 and/or the Technical Regulations of F1, and make corresponding amendments to the Financial Regulations of F1, at any time if it deems it necessary for safety reasons. However, it must consult the F1 Advisory Committees beforehand and the amendments must be proposed to the WMSC by the FIA and approved by it.

How are these rules applied?

All the regulations of Formula 1 are controlled by the officials of FIA, such as the race director, the technical delegate, the FIA software engineers, and even the FIA media delegate. Then, in case of a suspected violation of the regulations, it is reported to the independent panel of judges, or commissioners as we call them in Formula 1, who deliberate and make a decision after analyzing the case. The race director cannot impose penalties themselves.