What’s new in F1’s July 2024 sports regulations update?

On Wednesday, the FIA published four new documents to update the Formula 1 regulations in accordance with the World Motor Sport Council. Among these updates, the changes made to the sporting regulations are the most significant. In addition to the previously mentioned changes during the return of the mules and the new rules introduced for the Chinese Grand Prix, several novelties could impact the races.

New features for the tests

One of the important changes concerns the cars allowed on the track during private tests. Article 10.1 of the sporting regulations already specified that no other car was allowed on the track, the FIA added details by stipulating that « For tests of current cars organized in accordance with article 10.8e), no type of automobile other than those defined in article 10.1a) (a “current car”), article 10.2a) (an “old car”) or article 10.10a) (a “mule car”) is allowed on the track. »

Regarding the tests, the test benches have also undergone modifications. Where previously a few components were already authorized for simulation, now the tests of the components on the bench will be expanded to include the flywheel, the FIA standard ECU, the fuel flow meter (FFM), and up to twelve studs (M12) for attaching the engine to the survival cell or gearbox casing.

Another new feature is that drivers allowed to participate in test days will no longer need a full Super License to do so. According to Article 10.8 i), drivers must be eligible for a full Super License and must simply have participated in at least one Formula 1 race in their career or have driven 500 km in a current Formula 1 car at racing speeds. This change therefore allows some reserve drivers to drive during tests, which was not necessarily the case before.

The changes in progress.

There have been changes not only in private tests, but also in the sporting regulations, which include modifications for the races, especially for unforeseen events. Firstly, the schedule at which the drivers must report to the track will also change. They will now have to be present 16 minutes before the start of the formation lap, as opposed to 14 minutes previously, to listen to the national anthem.

One of the most significant changes made by the FIA concerns starts from the pit lane. Now, cars that start the race from the pits must remain there if the start is given behind the safety car. In accordance with Article 49.3, they will only be able to leave the pits once the last car has crossed the pit lane exit after the start. A penalty will be imposed on drivers who do not comply with this rule. If the car has left the pit lane and the start is eventually delayed, it will have to return there.

As announced in the official document, according to article 49.3, cars that were supposed to start the sprint session or the race from the pits must return there and can start the sprint session or the race once the last car has crossed the pit exit after the start. A penalty in accordance with article 54.3« will be imposed on any driver who does not start the sprint session or the race from the pits.

If one of the races is interrupted under a red flag, the FIA also provides for a change in the scenario where joining the pit lane endangers the drivers. Previously, the stopping procedure forced drivers to pull over on the pit lane just before the exit, now the cars will be able to join the starting grid under certain conditions: if the pit lane is closed for safety reasons before the cars return.

They will line up directly on the track like at the start of a race. « In exceptional circumstances, for safety reasons, the pit entry may be closed before the cars have returned to the pits. In this case, all cars must proceed slowly to the starting grid, the first car to arrive at the grid should take the pole position, and the others should take the remaining positions on the grid in the order of their arrival. The remainder of the procedures detailed in Articles 57.3, 57.4, 57.5 and 58 will remain unchanged, but will be carried out on the grid instead of the fast lane. »

The latest update provides for the changes allowed on the car during a red flag. While these changes were previously limited during the race, in the event of a race suspension from 2025 onwards, teams will be able to make modifications to the air ducts and radiator even outside of the race.

This new regulation, which will take effect in 2025, provides clarification to the Formula 1 rules that were sometimes not well understood and led to complaints from the teams involved.