F1 News, Reports and Race Results

FIA simplifies engine penalty system, well sort of...

Following an assembly of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council on Wednesday, the governing body revealed several amendments to F1's sporting and technical regulations.

In a bid to simplify the sport's much maligned engine penalty system - or at least make it less confusing - a change was approved, whereby if a driver incurs a penalty exceeding 15 grid places he will be required to start the race from the back of the starting grid.

If more than one driver receives such a penalty they will be arranged at the back of the grid in the order in which the offences were committed.

Hopefully, the new system will help fans work out more easily where a demoted driver shall potentially line up on the grid.

Other changes to the sporting and technical code include a provision for demonstration events of old F1 cars which does not constitute testing.

No such demonstrations may exceed 50km in length and only tyres manufactured specifically for this purpose by the appointed supplier may be used.

Furthermore, race organisers, in accordance with FOM, will be allowed to change a race weekend's timetable to "increase flexibility".

The WMSC also announced changes to ensure that oil cannot be used as fuel as well as the introduction of a detailed specification for fuel.

Finally, organisers of the Brazilian Grand Prix were issued with several security recommendation following the events which occurred last month at Interlagos, when crews of several F1 teams were the victims of theft or robbery attempts.

"The World Council was presented with the report on the security incidents that occurred at this year’s Brazilian Grand Prix which was requested from the Commercial Rights Holder (CRH) by the FIA.

"Following the report, the CRH recommended that the promoter, who is responsible for the security of the event, retains an independent security expert to evaluate and advise on security plans, implements a police reporting hub at the circuit and improves overall communication between the promoter security, police and F1 stakeholders.

"The World Council strongly urged the promoter to implement these recommendations and improve the situation ahead of next year’s event. The FIA will offer to participate in discussions with the local authorities and closely monitor the situation."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Piastri missing ‘the feeling of stress’ outside title fight

Oscar Piastri has discovered an unexpected downside to a season spent away from Formula 1's…

14 hours ago

Bearman opens up on ‘horrible’ triple header with Haas

Oliver Bearman is ready to put some distance between himself and Formula 1 after a…

15 hours ago

Honda baffled by battery mystery as Stroll retires again

Lance Stroll’s 2026 campaign has become a frustrating sequence of mechanical setbacks. The Canadian’s Sao…

16 hours ago

A nod to Formula 1's first female driver

Maria Teresa de Filippis - motorsport's first female F1 Grand Prix driver - was born…

17 hours ago

Ricciardo: Verstappen will go down as ‘one of the best ever’

Daniel Ricciardo has never been short of admiration for Max Verstappen, but the retired Australian…

19 hours ago

'He's very lucky': Coulthard takes aim at Norris' podium antics

David Coulthard admires Lando Norris’s ability to thread a Formula 1 car through treacherous conditions…

20 hours ago