The Formula 1 should be reformed in 2021 sporty, technical and financial. The World Council of Motorsport Association Fia has unanimously approved corresponding plans on Thursday.
The regulations are to promote more exciting races and reduce costs. This was the lead of the series and the Fia on the sidelines of the US Grand Prix in Austin (Sunday, 20.10 clock, TV: RTL and Sky, live ticker SPIEGEL ONLINE) known. The concept was worked on for about two years. The teams still have to decide if they want to stay in F1 under the rules.
The main objective of the new agenda is to design the racing cars so that the drivers can fight more intensely on the track. Formula 1 should be less complex and easier to understand. "We want more action," said Fia president Jean Todt: "We want a tighter World Cup and less predictable races."
Most recently, Mercedes had been the world champion for five consecutive years, and Lewis Hamilton should win again this season. The only driver who could challenge him is his team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
Shorter weekends, more races
The most important innovations are the first introduction of a budget cap for the teams and the possible extension of the calendar.
A maximum of 175 million US dollars should be allowed to be spent in the future per racing team and year. A sum that, however, not all teams can muster now. In addition, the upper limit only refers to expenses around the car. Other costs, such as the driver's salary, are not included. It is questionable that the smaller racing teams will be able to compete with the larger ones in the future.
So that Formula 1 can continue to grow globally, there should be even more races. In 2020, 22 events will take place for the first time, and one year later, there could be a maximum of three more. For the race weekends are shortened from the current four to three days.
Between three and three and a half seconds slower
As of the season after next, changes in the technology and design of the cars will also take effect. At the center is a simple aerodynamic concept. The front wing will be significantly simplified from 2021, other highly complex elements (such as the air deflectors behind the front wheels) are abolished.
The chassis is widened in size, this is also to better protect the driver in a side impact. Furthermore, the tires are larger, the weight of the race car increases by 25 kilograms. Overall, the car should be slower per lap between three and three and a half seconds.
All technological interventions should have the consequence that the cars can better follow the racing cars ahead and there are more overtaking maneuvers.
The introduction of standard parts, such as the cockpit Halo or the pedals, should help to reduce costs. Also new are open source components. The teams share the designs of their components with their competitors. Development costs should be reduced.