Governing body the FIA has confirmed it will carry out track tests of the cockpit shield protection system ahead of implementation for the 2018 Formula One campaign.
A meeting of the F1 Strategy Group and F1 Commission took place in Paris on Tuesday, which saw all members attend, including for the first time new chief executive of the Formula One Group Chase Carey, as well as FIA president Jean Todt.
The FIA remain determined to improve driver safety, with the new shield concept having been presented to drivers before the Chinese Grand Prix following on from feedback over another potential ‘halo’ solution, particularly regarding aesthetics.
Full statement by the FIA:
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:
- A number of more integrated solutions for additional frontal protection have been studied, and the decision has been taken to give priority to the transparent ‘shield’ family of systems. The FIA aims to carry out track tests of this system during this season in preparation for implementation in 2018
- Changes in the regulation boxes around the engine cover have been made so that designs incorporating the ‘t-wing’ and ‘shark fin’ will be strictly limited
- Measures will be taken to ensure that oil will not be used as fuel. In addition, only one specification of oil may be used for any given power unit during an event
- Pirelli will be allowed to develop 2018 wet weather tyre compounds using previous specifications of cars and wheel dimensions
- In the event of a red flag period during a race, the race will be resumed from a standing start
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.