A solution to cool down the drivers in case of extreme heat and other information from the latest F1 commission

The Formula 1 commission met this week and released a statement on the points agreed upon. The next commission will take place in March 2024.

Better ventilating the drivers in the cockpit

During the Qatar Grand Prix, the drivers experienced extreme temperatures on the track, causing some to become ill during the race, such as Esteban Ocon, or even leading to fainting towards the end of the race. These dangerous situations were taken seriously by the FIA, who are considering implementing ventilation systems in case of high temperatures. In Qatar, the track temperature reached 50°C, with the driver’s cockpit reaching well over 60°C for 1 hour and 30 minutes…

« With the extreme temperatures experienced during the Qatar Grand Prix, the Commission has approved updates to the technical regulations allowing the installation of an air intake to enhance driver cooling in the car. Further analysis is underway for additional cooling options for even more extreme conditions. »

The capped budget will no longer take into account sustainable development costs.

The financial regulations will also be updated regarding the exclusion of expenses related to anything concerning sustainable development. The objective of F1 is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, and for this, teams need investment. They will now be able to make these investments without being hindered by the annual spending limits, which should only concern sport development.

« The Commission has approved additional adjustments regarding the exclusion of costs in favor of sustainability improvement in financial regulations. This specifically includes costs attributable to the definition and identification of sustainability objectives and the intended strategy to achieve them, as well as monitoring, collection, and reporting of progress in relation to carbon footprint, emissions targets, and ‘Global ESG’ sustainability objectives. »

Development of the 2026 car prohibited before 2025

The actors, teams, and executives agreed not to work on the 2026 race cars before 2025. The date is not precise, but it will probably be around mid-January, after the end-of-year holidays.

The Commission agreed that no work could be done on the development of a car for the 2026 season before the beginning of 2025.

A new sprint format in 2024

A new sprint format is being considered in response to the failure of the current format to generate interest. Indeed, it produces mini races that are similar to traditional races, with no additional interest for both spectators and drivers. The FIA reassures that they are working on the issue and will soon propose some solutions.

« The Commission has overall supported an update of the Sprint Format for 2024 in order to further streamline the weekend by separating the Sprint activities from those of the Grand Prix. The final schedule of Sprint events for 2024 will be published in the coming weeks. »

One of the criticized points today is the fact that it is not possible to adjust the race cars differently between the sprint race and the normal race, resulting in no progress and no possible difference in performance. This topic is therefore under consideration.

« The Sports Advisory Committee will review the specific details, particularly regarding the timing and regulations of the Parc Fermé, with the aim of presenting a final proposal to the F1 Commission at the first meeting of 2024. »

Rain and Water Projection Reduction Tests

The FIA has begun tests on a water splash kit, which for now is a failure due to the importance of the floor in dissipating water droplets in the air. The FIA will have to continue its research and ensures that new concepts will emerge.

The members of the Commission have recognized the importance of this project, and an additional test will take place in the spring of 2024. This test will use a cover design that completely wraps around the tire, in order to establish a proof of concept for the wheel cover with these cars and help define the future direction of the project.

Updates to Technical and Sporting Regulations

The FIA, as usual, regularly updates its regulations. The specific details are not yet known, but a reduction in the number of metallic parts in the floor is concerned. The updated regulations will be published in the coming days.

« A security-related update to the Technical Regulations has been approved, mitigating the danger created by metal components in the floor in case they were to become detached, by limiting their mass and number. »

« Other minor updates to the Technical and Sporting Regulations for 2024 have been approved by the Commission. »

Heated blankets and number of tires

Finally, concerning the tires and with the aim of allowing teams to better manage their tires, [the tire warming blankets will remain in 2024](/f1/actualite/32395-la-fia-abandonne-interdiction-couvertures-chauffantes-vertu-du-spectacle.html), despite the initial plans to ban them. The commission explains that this will maintain better tire management and thus optimize on-track performance to enhance the show.

« The Commission agreed that the focus of future tire development should be on reducing overheating issues and improving the raceability of the tires. Therefore, the decision was made to maintain the tire warmers for 2025 and remove the relevant appendices from the Sporting and Technical Regulations that required a further decision in July 2024. »

To conclude, the number of tire sets will also remain unchanged, despite discussions being initiated to reduce it from 13 sets per car per weekend to 11 sets and thus save money.

« Following the trial of an alternative tire allocation at two events this season, the Commission has decided to stick with the 13 sets of standard dry tires for the 2024 season, with the removal of relevant sections of the Regulations regarding the ATA. »