F1 Strategy Group gets tough on fins and T wings, favours shield over halo in latest talks

The F1 Strategy Group met Tuesday and agreed a number of welcome measures, including a restriction on T wings and Shark Fins on engine covers and a step towards better transparency by inviting other teams outside the top six to attend Strategy Group meetings.

But the eye catching development was the decision to proceed not with the Halo frontal protection system, but with the screen. The F1 drivers have been pushing for frontal protection and a programme of evaluation was carried out by all F1 teams during Free practice sessions last season.

However there are widespread reservations about its introduction on the grounds of looks and the screen has got the nod. It will be tested and evaluated ahead of an introduction in 2018.

Other measures which arose from the Strategy Group include:

Representatives from the non-member teams will now be invited to meetings of the F1 Strategy Group as observers, demonstrating the effective commitment of both the FIA and the Commercial Rights Holder to improve transparency in the sport.

Driver names and numbers

From Barcelona (12-14 May 2017) onwards, the sporting regulations will be strictly enforced to ensure that visibility of drivers’ names and numbers on the cars will be clearer.

Sporting and technical changes

Changes in the regulation boxes around the engine cover have been made so that designs incorporating the ‘t-wing’ and ‘shark fin’ will be strictly limited

Measures will be taken to ensure that oil will not be used as fuel. In addition, only one specification of oil may be used for any given power unit during an event.

Pirelli will be allowed to develop 2018 wet weather tyre compounds using previous specifications of cars and wheel dimensions

In the event of a red flag period during a race, the race will be resumed from a standing start.