Formula One to get regulation changes anew for 2015

The World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) has agreed upon new regulations changes for the 2015 Formula One championship during the recently concluded second FIA Sport Conference.

 With this, the WMSC have agreed to the following:

(1) Power units

In a season, four engines will be permitted to each driver. However, if there are more than 20 races in a season, the number of engines will increase to five.

The penalty for a complete change of Power Unit will be starting from the back of the grid and not in the pit lane.

(2) Aerodynamic testing

The number of wind tunnel runs will be reduced to 65 hours per week.  The wind-on hours are to also be reduced from 30 hours per week to 25.

Furthermore, the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) usage is to be reduced from 30 Teraflops to 25. For the 2015 F1 season, two periods of tunnel occupancy will be allowed in one day rather than one. Teams will only be able to nominate one wind tunnel in a year.

(3) Testing

In 2015, there will be three pre-season tests of four days each in Europe. Then, this will be reduced to two tests of four days in 2016.

There will also be two in-season tests of two days each in Europe instead of the current four. Two of these days must be for young drivers.

(4) Car specification at an Event

The current parc fermé restrictions will be effective from the start of P3 instead of the qualifying.

(5) Wheels and tires

The ban on tire blankets will be overturned for the 2015 F1 season. WMSC says this issue will be re-discussed whether the wheel and tire diameter increases in the coming years.

(6) Personnel Curfew

In 2015, Friday night curfews will be extended from six to seven hours and will increase to eight hours come 2016.

(7) Safety Car restarts

Safety Car restarts will now be starting from the grid. WMSC states that standing starts will not be allowed if the Safety Car is deployed within two laps of the start (or restart) of the race or if there are less than five laps remaining in the race.

(8) Technical Regulations

WMSC also made changes to the technical regulations for the 2015 F1 season including, a two-stage wheel fastener retaining system. New regulations for the F1 cars’ noses has to ensure improved safety and to provide more aesthetically pleasing structures. Technical regulations for the 2015 season also concerns the car’s skid blocks to ensure they are made from a lighter material. Lastly, WMSC says that the brake discs rotate at the same speed as the wheels.

With the said regulation changes, we could once again see a different Formula One season next year. Nevertheless, let’s just put out attention at the current F1 grand prix and see whether Rosberg or Hamilton will be this year’s champion.