FIA announces World Motor Sport Council decisions
Thursday, 21 September 2017, Paris - The FIA held its latest World Motor Sport Council meeting today in Paris
The meeting began with the FIA President Jean Todt paying special tribute to those affected by the natural disasters occurring in Mexico and Puerto Rico this week.
The President, on behalf of the entire FIA, the World Motor Sport Council, and the broader motor sport community offered his support and condolences to those affected by the tragic events, and recognised the presence of the FIA Vice President José Abed, attending on behalf of Mexico despite the devastating earthquake that affected that country’s capital.
The following decisions were taken during the meeting:
FIA Formula One World Championship
A number of amendments to the Sporting and Technical Regulations – including the specifications and testing parameters for the Secondary Roll Structure (‘Halo’), as well as improvements to chassis strength and wheel retention systems – were unanimously approved for the 2018 season. These will be available in the regulations section on FIA.com.
Following a tender process, the World Motor Sport Council approved the selection of Sentronics as the exclusive supplier of Fuel Flow Meters to teams for the 2018 and 2019 championships.
FIA Formula 3 International Championship
After consolidating the positions of FIA Formula 4 and FIA Formula 2, the FIA is currently working on the creation of an FIA F3 International Championship for 2019 in order to consolidate the FIA pyramid structure from Karting to Formula One.
As such, the World Motor Sport Council approved the launch of three calls for expressions of interest regarding the planned FIA F3 International Championship:
- to select a chassis manufacturer
- to select an engine provider
- to designate a promoter – a candidate promoter may also submit a proposal for chassis and engine
The concept of the championship has been defined as follows:
- A grid of 24 cars (eight teams with three cars)
- Nine to ten events, with two races per event
- Single-make engine, chassis and tyres
- Completely new chassis incorporating improved high level safety features
- Engine power output – 350 BHP
- Limited and regulated testing
FIA Formula 3 Regional Championships
The World Motor Sport Council agreed to the launch of an intermediate single-seater category between Formula 4 and Formula 3 International, to be sanctioned by the FIA and run by ASNs as International Series in a similar model to FIA Formula 4.
General championship concept:
- Multiple chassis and engines homologated by the FIA
- Each championship would generally feature a single supply of engines, chassis and tyres – however, ASNs or promoters are free to propose an alternative format
- Approximately 220-240 BHP – production-based engine, potentially turbocharged
FIA Formula 3 World Cup
The World Motor Sport Council approved the recommendation (following a tender process) of Panta for the exclusive supply of fuel in the 2017 FIA Formula 3 World Cup.
FIA Formula 4
Updated Technical Regulations for all homologated F4 cars were approved by the World Motor Sport Council. These amendments include a frontal anti-intrusion panel and an updated rear impact structure, to be retrofitted on existing cars by the teams themselves and for all new manufactured cars. The safety update kit is designed to significantly improve the compatibility of the front end of the chassis and the rear impact structure. This update will be mandatory for all F4 Championships as from 1 March 2018.
FIA Formula E Championship
The calendar for the 2017-18 FIA Formula E Championship was approved, featuring four historic new events, and the important return to circuit racing in Switzerland on the streets of Zurich for the first time since it was banned in 1955. The updated calendar is:
2 December
Hong Kong
3 December
Hong Kong
13 January
Marrakesh
3 February
Santiago de Chile*
3 March
Mexico City
17 March
Sao Paulo*
14 April
Rome*
28 April
Paris
19 May
Berlin
10 June
Zurich **
14 July
New York
15 July
New York
28 July
Montreal
29 July
Montreal
*New event
**New event pending ASN approval
FIA World Endurance Championship
The World Motor Sport Council offered its full support for the FIA Endurance Commission in its efforts to further strengthen and promote the FIA World Endurance Championship; one of the FIA’s most important assets.
The unique and extended provisional calendar spanning both 2018 and 2019 for the FIA World Endurance Championship was confirmed as follows:
5 May, 2018
WEC 6 Hours of Spa
Belgium
16-17 June, 2018
24 Hours of Le Mans
France
19 August, 2018
6 Hours of Silverstone
United Kingdom
21 October, 2018
6 Hours of Fuji
Japan
18 November, 2018
6 Hours of Shanghai
China
16-17 March, 2019
1500 Miles of Sebring
USA
4 May, 2019
WEC 6 Hours of Spa
Belgium
15-16 June, 2019
24 Hours of Le Mans
France
The FIA Endurance Commission was also encouraged to pursue a number of exciting and innovative proposals that it is currently working on, with the aim of enticing new manufacturers to the Championship.
The World Motor Sport Council also agreed to a number of Technical Regulation amendments for 2018 and 2019.
- From 2018, incorporation of the LMP1 Non-Hybrid cars into a single classification with the LMP1 Hybrid cars (while maintaining the current specific technical regulations).
- It is proposed to equalise the lap performances of the best LMP1 Non-Hybrid and Hybrid cars by adjusting the instantaneous fuel flow and fuel consumption per lap for the Non-Hybrid cars. A fuel range advantage for Hybrid cars (one extra lap at Le Mans) will be enforced.
- A technological coefficient between naturally aspirated engines and turbo engines will be implemented in order to open up the field of possible engines for LMP1 Non-Hybrid cars.
- From 2019, a ban on fluidic switches and energy brought to the general aerodynamics of the car – this is in anticipation of potential complex and expensive developments in this area.
FIA GT World Cup
A number of changes to the Sporting Regulations for the 2017 event were validated in a bid to optimise race management and provide greater flexibility in situations such as red flags. These changes will see more time allowed before and after the races to cater for delays, or unforeseen on-track circumstances. The restart procedure will also be reduced from ten minutes to five minutes at the resumption of racing after a red flag.
The World Motor Sport Council approved the recommendation (following a tender process) of Pirelli as the exclusive tyre supplier for the 2017 FIA GT World Cup.
Panta was also approved for the exclusive supply of fuel.
CIK-FIA
The calendar for the CIK-FIA championships, cups and trophies in 2018 was confirmed as follows:
22 April
Sarno, Italy
CIK-FIA European Championships, 1st round
CIK-FIA European Junior Championships, 1st round
6 May
Salbris, France*
CIK-FIA European KZ Championships, 1st round
CIK-FIA European KZ2 Championships, 1st round
CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, 1st round
20 May
PF International, UK
CIK-FIA European Championships, 2nd round
CIK-FIA European Junior Championships, 2nd round
17 June
Ampfing, Germany*
CIK-FIA European Championships, 3rd round
CIK-FIA European Junior Championships, 3rd round
15 July
Lonato, Italy
CIK-FIA European KZ Championships, 2nd round
CIK-FIA European KZ2 Championships, 2nd round
CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, 2nd round
5 August
Essay, France
CIK-FIA European Championships, 4th round
CIK-FIA European Junior Championships, 4th round
9 September
Genk, Belgium
CIK-FIA World KZ Championships
CIK-FIA International KZ2 Super Cup
CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, 3rd round
23 September
Kristianstad, Sweden
CIK-FIA World Championships
CIK-FIA World Junior Championships
*Subject to track rehomologation and fulfilling additional requirements of CIK-FIA
FIA World Rally Championship
The World Motor Sport Council approved an adjustment to the procedure following any “yellow card” received by an event organiser for safety issues. The “Rally Safety Task Force” will now be responsible for helping the concerned organiser and/or ASN to reach a satisfactory level of safety for the future.
The introduction of automated gearbox controls for R5 cars has been cancelled, due to the excessive cost of retrofitting on existing homologations.
The World Motor Sport Council accepted the provisional 2018 FIA World Rally Championship calendar, with 13 events including a return to the championship of Rally Turkey for the first time since 2010. They are:
28 January
Rally Monte Carlo
18 February
Rally Sweden
11 March
Rally Mexico*
8 April
Tour de Corse
29 April
Rally Argentina*
20 May
Rally de Portugal*
10 June
Rally Italia*
29 July
Rally Finland
19 August
Rally Germany
16 September
Rally Turkey**
7 October
Rally Great Britain
28 October
Rally Spain
18 November
Rally Australia*
*Subject to Event Promotion Agreement
**Subject to candidate event
FIA African Rally Championship
The calendar for the 2018 FIA African Rally Championship was approved:
23-25 February
Rally Bandama Cote d’Ivoire
16-18 March
Safari Rally Kenya
19-21 April
York Rally South Africa
22-24 June
Zambia International Rally
20-22 July
Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally
24-26 August
Rally of Tanzania
21-23 September
Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally
FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies
The calendar for the 2018 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies was confirmed:
16-18 February
Russia
Baja Russia-Northern Forest
10-11 March
United Arab Emirates
Dubai International Baja
24-29 March or 1-6 April*
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
17-22 April*
Qatar
Qatar Cross Country Rally
27 May – 2 June
Kazakhstan
Rally Kazakhstan
21-24 June
Italy
Italian Baja
20-22 July
Spain
Baja España Aragόn Teruel
9-12 August
Hungary
Hungarian Baja
30 August – 2 September
Poland
Baja Poland
7-13 October
Morocco
Rallye Oilibya du Maroc
25-27 October
Portugal
Baja Portalegre 500
*Dates to be confirmed
FIA Safety Commission
A number of amendments were approved by the World Motor Sport Council regarding changes to the Super Licence points table – as well as adjustments to the eligibility of championships and drivers to accumulate points. These changes are in this appendix.
In order to establish a clearer path for drivers around the world to progress from grassroots to World Championships, a new structure for FIA International A Licences – the licence level immediately below the F1 Super Licence – was approved by the World Motor Sport Council. This licencing system will now be based on the same principle of point allocation as the Super Licence system introduced three years ago.
In collaboration with the FIA Circuits Commission, the Safety Commission will implement homologation processes for manufacturers of circuit equipment to allow ASNs and circuits around the world to equip their facilities to an appropriate and tested standard. This will have the combined effect of improving circuit equipment, making the organisation of safe and efficient motor sport events easier, as well as encouraging equipment manufacturers to achieve the published standards.
As part of the Safety Commission’s work, the World Motor Sport Council reiterated that one of the primary roles of the FIA is to always focus on making motor sport safer.
FIA Commissions
The World Motor Sport Council also decided on the formation of two new strategic commissions that will work across both Sport and Mobility.
The Disability and Accessibility Commission will be created to provide advice on strategies to encourage and facilitate participation in motor sport for people with disabilities.
The Environment and Sustainability Commission will advise on issues relating to environmental performance and sustainability in motor sport and mobility, as well as supporting the achievement of best practice by the FIA and its Member Clubs in relation to relevant criteria measuring environmental performance.
Having gained approval from the World Motor Sport Council, the commissions will now need the approval of the World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism.
Next
The next World Motor Sport Council meeting will be held on 6 December in Paris.