FIA turns on rear-wing endplate lights for 2019

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The FIA's World Motor Sport Council has approved a series of changes to F1's sporting and technical regulations for 2019, among which are new rear-wing endplate lights.

The system was trialed earlier this year and is destined to improve a car's visibility in rainy and heavy spray conditions. The concept isn't new, with the WEC's prototype cars having been fit with endplate lights for several years now.

The following is a summary of the decisions taken during the WMSC's meeting on Friday:

Formula 1 Strategy Group and Commission proposals concerning the 2019 Technical Regulations were agreed, including:

- Changes to the mirror regulations and also associated rear wing changes (height) for rear view visibility and safety (Articles 3.6 and 14.3)
- The on-board camera regulations will be modified to improve the TV spectacle (Article 21)
- Rear endplate lights are to be added for safety (Article 14.5)
- Minor modifications to the halo fairing (Article 15.2.6) are to be made for safety reasons during a potential driver extraction

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The Council approved changes to the 2019 Sporting Regulations including:

- Changes to the Safety Car regulations to ensure there is a consistent point at which drivers may overtake when the Safety Car returns to the pits. This will now be the same in all three types of restart
- The teams will now be responsible for initial scrutineering of their cars. Before the cars go on track for the first time, teams must declare conformity with all safety related matters
- The official end-of-race signal will now be a chequered light panel, although the chequered flag will still be shown

For 2020, the team personnel curfew – the amount of time for which all team personnel must be away from the track – will increase from eight to nine hours.

The WMSC also gave its final approval for the calendar for the 2019 season.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.