Formula One agrees rule changes to address driver safety concerns
New energy management parameters will be implemented from Miami after drivers raised concerns about battery recharging affecting racing.
Formula One agrees rule changes to address driver safety concerns
New energy management parameters will be implemented from Miami after drivers raised concerns about battery recharging affecting racing.
Formula One's governing body and teams agreed unanimously on Monday to adjust technical regulations aimed at improving racing and driver safety, with changes to be implemented from the next race in Miami on May 32.
The amendments follow complaints from drivers over the first three races of the season about having to ease off the throttle and coast into high-speed corners so the combustion engine can recharge the battery, a practice that has raised safety concerns2. Drivers have also contended with "super-clipping", where the power unit automatically diverts energy from the engine to the battery, slowing the car even when the driver has the throttle fully depressed2.
The International Automobile Federation said in a statement that an online meeting with the 11 team principals, power unit chief executives and Formula One had agreed to a number of in-season refinements that would now be put to a virtual vote2. The proposals will be implemented from Miami apart from race start changes that will be tested there and adopted following feedback and analysis2.
Energy management parameters will be adjusted for qualifying, with a reduction in maximum permitted recharge from eight megajoules to seven to encourage more consistent flat-out driving, and peak superclip power increased from 250 kilowatts to 350 kilowatts to reduce time spent recharging2. Measures were also introduced to reduce what the FIA described as excessive recharge requirements during races2.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said on Sunday that drivers had provided invaluable input on adjustments, particularly in energy management areas, following what he described as constructive and collaborative discussion1. He said safety and the best interests of the sport were the main focus of the discussions1.
The sport underwent its biggest change in decades this season on chassis and engine regulations, with new power units split roughly 50-50 between electric and combustion power12.