FIA Announces World Motor Sport Council Decisions
The meeting was held as part of the FIA Sport Conference 2015, which also included the FIA American Congress, and was organized by the Mexican ASN, the Organizacion Mexicana del Deporte Automovilistico Internacional (OMDAI).
During the Council meeting, the following decisions were taken:
FIA Formula One World Championship
The WMSC has approved the rule adjustments proposed by the F1 Strategy Group and approved by the F1 Commission. These are:
– The simplification of the power unit penalties, ensuring that the most a driver can be penalized is to be demoted to the rear of the grid – this will eliminate penalties during the race for these infractions.
– New power unit manufacturers to F1 will receive an extra power unit for each driver to use throughout Grands Prix for the season, bringing the total to five – one more than the existing power unit suppliers. This will be applied retrospectively to Honda.
These changes to the sporting regulations will come into force with immediate effect.
The provisional calendar for the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship was approved:
|
April 3 |
Australia |
|
April 10 |
China |
|
April 24 |
Bahrain |
|
May 1 |
Sochi |
|
May 15 |
Spain |
|
May 29 |
Monaco |
|
June 12 |
Canada |
|
June 26 |
UK |
|
July 3 |
Austria |
|
July 17 |
Baku |
|
July 31 |
Germany |
|
August 7 |
Hungary |
|
August 28 |
Belgium |
|
September 4 |
Italy |
|
September 18 |
Singapore |
|
September 25 |
Malaysia |
|
October 9 |
Japan |
|
October 23 |
USA (Austin) |
|
October 30 |
Mexico |
|
November 13 |
Brazil |
|
November 27 |
Abu Dhabi |
The WMSC approved the update of the Super License regulations with a view to:
– Increasing flexibility for drivers having qualified for a Super License, but do not have the opportunity to race in Formula One. These drivers will now keep this possibility for three years (eg. typical F1 test driver situation)
– Enlarging the list of Series included in the Super License point system following numerous requests from series for inclusion
– Adjusting of points given to some series already included to better reflect the strength of series.
– Granting the champion of the FIA Formula E Championship with a Super License, although the Championship is not part of the points system.
FIA Formula E Championship
The WMSC approved the establishing of an FIA e-License, which will be mandatory for any Driver wanting to compete in the FIA Formula E Championship.
In order to qualify for the e-License, the following is required:
– A specific FIA training session on the most important points of electrical safety, technical and sporting aspects of the competition
– To have accumulated in the previous three years at least 20 points of the FIA points system used to qualify for the F1 Super License, or to have previously held an F1 Super License, or to have participated in at least three races of the previous FIA Formula E Championship.
The 2015/16 FIA Formula E Championship calendar was approved as follows:
|
Round |
Date |
Country |
ePrix |
|
1 |
17 October 2015 |
China |
Beijing |
|
2 |
7 November 2015 |
Malaysia |
Putrajaya |
|
3 |
19 December 2015 |
Uruguay** |
Punta del Este** |
|
4 |
6 February 2016 |
Argentina** |
Buenos Aires** |
|
5 |
19 March 2016 |
TBD |
TBD |
|
6 |
2 April 2016 |
USA |
Long Beach |
|
7 |
23 April 2016 |
France |
Paris |
|
8 |
21 May 2016 |
Germany |
Berlin |
|
9 |
4 June 2016 |
Russia |
Moscow |
|
10 & 11 |
TBD |
United Kingdom |
London |
* All events remain subject to FIA track homologation
** TBC
FIA World Rally Championship
The principles of the technical and homologation regulations for the 2017-2019 WRC car were approved by the World Motor Sport Council. The intention behind the new regulations is to produce a car with a far more dynamic and distinct appearance that exhibits character and diversity. The highlights are:
Engine
– Powered increased to 380hp
– 36mm maximum diameter for the turbo restrictor
– Maximum 2.5b absolute turbo pressure
Body
– Free zone defined around the body shell of the production car to create a maximum WRC car width of 1875mm and greater overhang front and rear
– Greater freedom on the lateral parts of the front bumper, with potential for additional aero devices ahead of the front wheels. Openings may also be cut-out on the fender surface
– Bigger and more visible fixed rear wing
The overall weight of the car will be reduced by 25kg, there will be a return to an electronically-controlled center differential and the overall homologated length of the car must be greater than or equal to 3.9 meters.
FIA World Endurance Championship
[adinserter name="GOOGLE AD"]The WMSC approved the 2017 Draft Technical Regulations for the LM P2 Prototype class, as drafted in conjunction with IMSA and ACO. The Technical Regulations include:
– Four selected suppliers of the coupe chassis for LM P2 regulations
– A single engine supply, currently at tender
– A more powerful engine, up to 600hp from 2017
The dates for the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans will be held on 18 to 19 June 2016.
FIA World Touring Car Championship
The final round of the 2015 FIA World Touring Car Championship in Qatar will now be held on 26-27 November at Losail.
The event has been moved due to a conflicting local event. The Friday date was requested as it is part of Qatar’s weekend, and to avoid conflict with the final round of the F1 World Championship.
Formula 2 Championship
The WMSC acknowledged an update in the call for expression of interest related to the creation of the new F2 Championship; the intended final step in the FIA single-seater ladder to Formula One.
The FIA has received an offer from GP2 Series Limited to be appointed as the promoter of the championship, and discussions are ongoing with the aim being to secure the best possible FIA F2 Championship.
FIA Formula 3 European Championship
The WMSC approved the principles of the renewal of the promoter agreement with ITR; the agreement will be submitted to the FIA Senate for confirmation.
The continuation of the contract with the current promoter will ensure consolidation of an already strong championship, and will result in gaining the championship greater visibility through improved media and distribution channels.
The FIA looks forward to continuing its work with ITR as the FIA Formula 3 European Championship continues its already strong growth.
GT Commission
With the format for the FIA GT World Cup already approved, the WMSC announced the opening of registrations for teams and manufacturers for the race in Macau on 20-22 November.
The manufacturers’ pre-entry registration will open on 26 June, 2015 and close on 20 July, 2015, and each manufacturer may enter a maximum of three cars.
The official entry list of selected manufacturers and the amount of cars per manufacturer selected will be confirmed by the FIA, upon proposal of the GT World Cup Committee, by 20 August, 2015 at the latest.
Each selected manufacturer will be invited to register the team(s) selected (one team may have from 1 to 3 cars) and the driver per car at the latest on 15 September 2015.
CIK-FIA
The WMSC approved the regulation of the worldwide existing Cadet karting class, which already has high participation at a national level, but without a set of united CIK-FIA regulations.
The WMSC has approved the launch of new generation non-gearbox kart engines within the Senior and Junior categories with the aim of extending the use of these engines. For more information on the engines, see: http://www.cikfia.com/newsroom/view/article/a-new-era-is-emerging-for-direct-drive-karting.html.
[adinserter name="GOOGLE AD"]Truck Racing Commission
The WMSC approved the principles of the appointment of a Promoter for the FIA European Truck Racing Championship.
The selected Promoter is European Truck Racing Association (ETRA) – the consent is subject to the confirmation of the FIA Senate.
ETRA is a company established in collaboration between the current ETRC Event Organizers, and currently driven by the representatives of the Nurburgring event (ADAC).
The 2016 ETRC championship calendar will feature a minimum of seven events in Europe, and is subject to Commission and WMSC approval.
The next World Motor Sport Council meeting is scheduled for 30 September, 2015, at the FIA in Paris.