Formula 1 teams have unanimously agreed that cost reduction and cost control plans will be presented to the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in June, before a budget cap is introduced for the 2015 season.
The development was confirmed by the FIA on Thursday afternoon, after the governing body, Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and team bosses met in Geneva to discuss the future of the sport.
“The FIA President reaffirmed to members of the WMSC the FIA’s intention to assure a healthy, affordable and spectacular FIA Formula One World Championship for the long-term future,” read an FIA statement.
“At a meeting of the F1 Strategy Group yesterday, chaired by the FIA President, and attended by Bernie Ecclestone and the teams, it was unanimously agreed that cost reduction and cost control regulations will be presented to the WMSC in June 2014 for introduction in January 2015.”
In addition to progress on the cost-cutting front, a variety of sporting and technical changes have been outlined for the upcoming campaign and beyond, although they have not yet been rubber-stamped by officials.
The absence of the double points idea from the proposed list of changes confirms that it will remain in place.
Amendments to 2014 Sporting Regulations, subject to ratification by the F1 Commission and teams:
• Stewards can impose a five-second time penalty which can be taken before work is carried out in a pit-stop
• Team personnel must also wear helmets during qualifying sessions, as well as the race
• Drivers may not stop their cars on the slowing down lap to save fuel for sampling and subsequent analysis; this will not be considered as a justifiable reason for stopping
• For 2014 only, each team will be allowed six curfew ‘jokers’, previously there were two permitted. This is to allow more flexibility for working on the new engines and cars
Amendments to 2014 Technical Regulations, subject to ratification by the F1 Commission and teams:
• The weight of the car, without fuel, must not be less than 691kg at all times during the event. The weight limit has increased by 1kg to take into account the difference in weight between the tyres in 2013 and 2014
Amendments to 2015 Sporting Regulations, subject to agreement of the F1 Commission:
• To be considered a constructor, teams will not need to design and manufacture suspension and brake ducts
Amendments to 2015 Technical Regulations, subject to agreement of the F1 Commission:
• The car minimum weight has been increased by 10kg, to 701kg, for 2015
• All tyre heating devices (tyre blankets) will be prohibited in 2015
• For safety reasons, the front part of the chassis cannot climb too steeply rearward of the front of the chassis
