Driver names and numbers to be made clearer from May's Spanish GP; all teams to now have representation at F1 Strategy Group
Thursday 27 April 2017 11:07, UK
T-wings and shark fin engine covers are set to be outlawed in 2018 following a meeting of the F1 Strategy Group and the F1 Commission in Paris.
The appendages have proved unpopular with fans for cosmetic reasons this season, while there have also been safety concerns following a number of t-wings falling from cars on track.
Red Bull estimated £50,000 worth of damage was caused when Max Verstappen ran over the t-wing which fell off Valtteri Bottas' Mercedes in Bahrain.
The FIA will also tighten up regulations surrounding engine oil, amid rumours some teams are using excess lubricant to enhance their engine performance. The use of a different specification of oil between qualifying and the race will be outlawed, preventing a high-performance fluid being used on Saturday and a more durable one on Sunday.
Driver names and numbers will also have to be made clearer for the fans from the Spanish GP onwards.
Furthermore, all teams will now be able to send representatives to F1 Strategy Group meetings. Previously only Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull and Williams had a permanent presence, with the next best placed team from the previous season also given a spot, currently Force India.
The statement in full from the FIA on the next round of proposed changes for F1:
'A constructive meeting of the F1 Strategy Group and F1 Commission took place today (25 April) in Paris, with all members in attendance including FIA President Jean Todt and, for the first time, Chase Carey, CEO of Formula One Group.
Below is a summary of what was discussed:
Sporting and technical changes
There have been some corrections and additions to the technical and sporting regulations for 2018, which will now be passed to the World Motor Sport Council for approval:
Driver names and numbers
Information was given to the teams that, from Barcelona (12-14 May 2017) onwards, the sporting regulations will be strictly enforced to ensure that visibility of drivers' names and numbers on the cars will be clearer.
Strategy Group
Representatives from the non-member teams will now be invited to meetings of the F1 Strategy Group to have access to the discussions, demonstrating the effective commitment of both the FIA and the Commercial Rights Holder to improve transparency in the sport.'
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