Faster cars approved for F1 2017 with new qualifying confirmed for 2016 season

The FIA has approved regulation changes that will alter bodywork and decrease Formula 1 laptimes for 2017 and has confirmed new plans to change the...

The FIA has approved regulation changes that will alter bodywork and decrease Formula 1 laptimes for 2017 and has confirmed new plans to change the sport's qualifying format ahead of the 2016 season.

The governing body has also approved an award for the “Driver of the Day”, which will be presented to the racer who gains the most votes on social media throughout each Grand Prix.

The FIA also confirmed that “some form of cockpit protection” would be introduced for the 2017 season.

2017 bodywork changes

Following a meeting of the F1 Commission in Geneva yesterday, the FIA announced that the deadline for confirming the 2017 F1 technical and sporting rules had been extended until 30 April to allow the sport’s stakeholders time to confirm the exact regulations. But it did announce that the rules regarding car bodywork would change for next season in a bid to increase speeds.

It said: “New bodywork regulations have been adopted to create more exciting cars, delivering additional downforce to increase speeds and lower lap times.

“The FIA, teams and official tyre supplier will continue discussions on the best solution for testing of the new tyres required as part of the regulations.”

The summary of proposed body work changes includes wider front and rear tyres, wider front wings with simpler endplates, wider and lower rear wings, wider bodywork with a reduced exclusion zone for larger bargeboards and an increase of the maximum weight from 702kg to 722kg plus the tyres (estimated at 5kg).

Qualifying shake-up

A new knock-out system for qualifying was also proposed by the F1 Commission, which would see F1 drivers will competing to avoid being eliminated at regular intervals.

The FIA’s statement confirmed that these changes were being considered for the 2016 season but explained that the system is still being evaluated at this stage. However Bernie Ecckestone has indicated to colleagues this morning that it will happen.

Team operational staff in Barcelona have questioned how the new elimination system would cope with a red flag situation at critical moments, but there seems to be a generally positive and open minded view among teams to the new format.

The FIA statement said: “A new qualification format was unanimously accepted by the F1 Commission. The new system is being evaluated for introduction, potentially as soon as the beginning of the 2016 season. The basis of the new elimination format is as follows:

Q1:

• 16 minutes

• After 7 minutes, slowest driver eliminated

• Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag

• 7 drivers eliminated, 15 progress to Q2

Q2:

• 15 minutes

• After 6 minutes, slowest driver eliminated

• Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag

• 7 drivers eliminated, 8 progress to Q3

Q3:

• 14 minutes

• After 5 minutes, slowest driver eliminated

• Slowest driver eliminated every 1 minute 30 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag

• 2 drivers left in final 1 minute 30 second

“The final elimination in each session occurs at the chequered flag – not when time is up.”

Driver of the day award

F1 fans will be given the chance to vote for the driver they believe has performed best in each race in an attempt to encourage greater engagement among F1 followers. The winner will be awarded with a prize as part of the TV coverage of the race.

The FIA’s statement said: “Viewers will be encouraged to vote online for their ‘Driver of the Day’ throughout a Grand Prix, with the winner to be announced as part of the race broadcast immediately following the conclusion of the race, when the driver will be presented with their prize.”

Cockpit protection

The F1 commission voted in favour of the adoption of a cockpit protection system for the 2017 season. The ‘Halo’ concept, which was developed by the FIA in conjunction with Mercedes, is the preferred system, but the governing body has said other options, including transparent canopies, would be still be considered.

The statement said: “All stakeholders are working together to make this a reality, with the ‘Halo’ concept currently the preferred option. Other options, such as transparent cockpit protection, will continue to be evaluated.”

Power unit progress

The FIA also said that progress had been made on the debate surrounding the cost, supply, complexity and noise problems associated with F1’s V6 turbo power units.

A group made up of the FIA, the commercial rights holder, the engine manufacturers and customer teams will continue to work on a plan that satisfies proposed new requirements for the power units by the 30 April deadline.

What do you make of the FIA's announcements? Will they have a positive impact on the sport? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below or head over to the JAonF1 Facebook page for more discussion.