Never let it be said that the FIA are not idiots...

[cameraman]

New rules for F1


Following a meeting of the F1 Strategy Group and the Formula One Commission in Paris today, the following items have been unanimously approved:

Cost cap

The principle of a global cost cap has been adopted. The limit will be applied from January 2015.
A working group will be established within the coming days comprising the FIA, representatives of the Commercial Rights Holder and Team representatives.

The objective of the working group will be to have regulations approved by the end of June 2014.

Pirelli Tyre test – Bahrain, 17-19 December

The F1 Commission agreed to a change to the 2013 Sporting Regulations, on safety grounds, allowing the Formula One tyre supplier to carry out a three-day test in Bahrain from 17-19 December, 2013. All Formula One teams have been invited to take part in the test and six have accepted: Red Bull Racing, Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Force India and Toro Rosso.

Driver numbers

Drivers will be asked to choose their race number, between 2 and 99, for the duration of their career in the FIA Formula One World Championship. Number 1 will be reserved for the current World Champion, should he choose to use it.

If more than one driver choses [sic] the same number, priority will be given to the driver who finished highest in the previous year’s championship.

New penalties

The principle of a five-second penalty for minor infringements was agreed. In what form such a penalty will be applied will be discussed with Formula One’s teams in order that a new regulation be introduced for 2014 season.

Points for the last race

Double drivers’ and constructors’ points will be awarded at the final race of the Formula One season in order to maximise focus on the Championship until the end of the campaign.

These changes are immediately applicable, given the mandate assigned to the FIA President at the last World Motor Sport Council meeting, held on 4 December in Paris.”

That would be Bahrain next year...

[opinionated ow]

I hate every single one of these. what the hell has gone wrong with the fia? if they want to be taken seriously as a sport you don't do this crap!

[Rogue Leader]

I actually like the driver number thing, the rest is ridiculous

[opinionated ow]

I actually like the driver number thing, the rest is ridiculous

Not really keen on that. I like the ordered nature of it as it currently is. I can't think of many other sports where numbering is as widely used that don't rank them

[Tifosi24]

Not really keen on that. I like the ordered nature of it as it currently is. I can't think of many other sports where numbering is as widely used that don't rank them

The blasphemy against NASCAR!

That point aside, Autosport did a nice review of how the ridiculous double point idea would have impact historical events. Granted, strategies would have played out differently, but I believe 8 world championships would have been altered. The only upside is that Stirling Moss would be a two-time world champion. Side note, I had no idea that Moss didn't win the world championship against Hawthorne because he argued in Hawthorne's favor regarding DQ from a race. I doubt that level of sportsmanship would be seen at any level, in any sport, these days.

[Andrew Longman]

That is cool about Moss. But when you drove in an era when too many of your peers died I guess it is only proper to not quibble over minor stuff like a world championship.

For the record I pretty much hate the rule changes. Cost caps are probably the stupidest. And I don't like the championship settled in Bahrain because I hate that race and track. Tire test makes sense though.

[stroker]

what is it about racing sanctioning bodies that they gravitate to precisely the opposite rules changes to what the fan base wants?

[Insomniac]

I suspect the points thing won't happen.

[TrueBrit]

what is it about racing sanctioning bodies that they gravitate to precisely the opposite rules changes to what the fan base wants?

Because, as they have repeatedly shown, they don't give a f*** what the punters think, we are simply there to buy the tickets, and fill their pockets..