Translated material
Revolution according to plan
The FIA is once again preparing a new look for the Royal Races
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) is once again preparing to significantly shake up the rules of Formula 1 racing. As soon as everyone has had time to get used to the amendments to this year’s regulations, they need to start studying the innovations of the next year. And the surprises in the proposed version are no less, and maybe even more, than in the regulations of this year, which changed Formula 1 almost beyond recognition.In the sports part of the regulations, the most intriguing thing is the abolition of refueling during the race. All these tactical tricks with the amount of fuel on board, which teams have used since 1994, will become a thing of the past. Pit stops to change tires will still remain, but drivers will have much less opportunity to radically influence the outcome of the race by stopping in the pits. The fight will return to the track, and qualifying will again become a competition in the pure speed of cars with empty tanks, and not a battle between engineers for the correct distribution of fuel over the distance. True, the effect that the FIA hopes to get from saving fuel seems to be less than expected. Teams will spend much more than what they save on preparing new fuel systems.
And other decisions, which the federation justifies by further reducing costs, do not seem indisputable. Even little things like banning thermal covers that warm up spare tires, and increasing the minimum permissible weight of cars by 15 kg. It is known that cold tires have worse grip properties, which can lead to an accident even at low speeds. The cars had to become heavier due to the persistent desire of FIA President Max Mosley to complete the implementation of the energy recovery system (KERS). By the way, this favorite toy of the president is causing only problems so far. It does not yet provide any noticeable fuel savings or the promised increase in engine power, and considerable funds have already been spent on its development. Renault team chief Flavio Briatore even demanded that the FIA ban this device, but the federation is unlikely to change its decision.
But the most heated debate was caused by what seemed to be the most sensible part of the future reforms. From next season, under the FIA's proposed plan, teams could voluntarily agree to cap their spending at £40m per season. This would allow those of them who do not have the support of automakers or major sponsors to stay afloat. Moreover, even factory teams cannot guarantee further participation in Formula 1.
This is an amount that can be spent on chassis modernization, tests, and development of new systems. It excludes marketing and entertainment expenses, driver salaries and financing of training programs for young pilots, payment of fines imposed by judges on teams and drivers, tax deductions, and the cost of engines. Budget stables that accept this restriction will be given some freedom in the technical regulations. For example, they will be able to use engines without speed limit, rear wings with adjustable angle of attack and even four-wheel drive. In addition, they will be given the right to conduct an unlimited number of tests in the off-season and test their cars in the wind tunnel without restrictions.
At the same time, as always, when restrictions or, conversely, benefits are introduced, there are a lot of offended and dissatisfied people, in the form of an ultimatum demanding the preservation of the foundations. And it would be okay if we were talking about some run-of-the-mill teams (although these days in Formula 1 every participant counts, after all, the value of Force India and Ferrari is incommensurable), but that’s the point, that lately the grandees of the Royal Racing are increasingly among the dissatisfied.
It was precisely the clause that removed all technical restrictions from the poor that caused the greatest displeasure among the Ferrari president. In a letter sent to the FIA president, Signor di Montezemolo said that the new rules would effectively divide the championship into two classes, in which cars with different characteristics would compete. This will affect the credibility of Formula 1, as it will be difficult for fans to understand what is happening. In addition, Ferrari doubts the ability to strictly control cost compliance. “The new rules need careful analysis. I have always opposed budget restrictions. First of all, because this process is difficult to control. And any suspicions will only damage the image of Formula 1,” the message says. In this case, Ferrari is going to challenge the legality of the FIA's decisions in court. There was also a hint of the Italian team's possible exit from the championship.
However, this did little to frighten the head of the federation. Threats of this kind have appeared more than once over the years for various reasons, but Formula continues to exist successfully. Losing Ferrari or losing the entire Formula 1 - Max Mosley chose the lesser of two evils. And it is unlikely that the legendary team will bring things to a break. The owner of the commercial rights to the championship, Bernie Ecclestone, had to intervene in this dispute and proposed a compromise with an increase in the budget ceiling.
But in addition to the struggle to save existing teams, the FIA is actively involved in attracting new participants. Despite the crisis, there is a small queue of people wishing to try their hand at Formula 1 next season. So the federation had to increase the number of cars participating in the race to 26 instead of the current 22. And even those were not recruited: the place of Super Aguri, which went bankrupt last year, remained vacant. Three lucky winners of a ticket to the highest level of motorsport will be named in June.