The FIA has published updated rules for the 2023 Formula 1 season, which will begin in Bahrain next week.
The revised 2023 Formula 1 Sporting Regulations include changes to how time limits on races are imposed, an experimental qualifying format being used this year, DRS activation in sprint races, starting positions, mandatory fan sessions involving team members and potential rules changes for next year.
There are many other minor revisions to details of the regulations in addition to these significant alterations.
Enforcing time limits on races
If the maximum time limit is reached in a sprint race (one hour) or grand prix (two hours), the end-of-race signal will now be shown at the end of the lap after the time expired, unless the leader completes the scheduled race distance before then:
Sprint races
5.3 (a) An exception to the provisions of Article 59.1 for the end-of-session signal will be made under the following circumstances:
ii) Should one (1) hour elapse from the start signal before the scheduled sprint session [sprint race] distance is completed, the leader will be shown the end-of-session signal when he crosses the control line (the Line) at the end of the lap following the lap during which the one (1) hour period ended, provided this does not result in the scheduled number of laps being exceeded.
iii) Should the sprint session be suspended (see Article 57) the length of the suspension will be added to this one (1) hour period up to a maximum total sprint session time of one and a half (1.5) hours, and the leader will be shown the end-of-session signal when he crosses the control line (the Line) at the end of the lap following the lap during which the sum of these periods ended, provided this does not result in the scheduled number of laps being exceeded.
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Grands prix
An exception to the provisions of Article 59.1 for the end-of-session signal will be made under the following circumstances:
c) Should two hours elapse from the start signal before the scheduled race distance is completed, the leader will be shown the end-of-session signal when he crosses the control line (the Line) at the end of the lap following the lap during which the two (2) hour period ended, provided this does not result in the scheduled number of laps being exceeded.
d) Should the race be suspended (see Article 57) the length of the suspension will be added to this two (2) hour period up to a maximum total race time of three (3) hours, and the leader will be shown the end-of-session signal when he crosses the control line (the Line) at the end of the lap following the lap during which the sum of these periods ended, provided this does not result in the scheduled number of laps being exceeded.
New name for Revised Qualifying Format
Last year F1 approved the use of a Revised Qualifying Format at two events in 2023. This has now been renamed the ‘Alternative Tyre Allocation’.
The format is unchanged: for the qualifying sessions at the two selected events, drivers must use one set of hard tyres in Q1, one set of medium tyres in Q2 and one set of soft tyres in Q3.
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Fix for reduced points rule
Last year’s championship-deciding race at Suzuka was plunged into confusion when it emerged a new rule intended to award lower points scores for shortened races had not been written as intended, and full points had to be awarded despite winner Max Verstappen only completing 52% of the race distance.
The problematic clause has been rewritten. Previously the rules said reduced points allocations would be awarded if “a race is suspended in accordance with Article 57, and cannot be resumed”.
This has been rewritten to state the lower points scores will be used “if the race distance from the start signal to the end-of-session signal is less than the scheduled race distance”. A similar fix has been implemented for sprint races.
No points means no podium
In addition to the above, the FIA has stipulated no podium ceremony will take place if no points are awarded. This would happen if the leader completes fewer than two laps, as was the case at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix.
63.4 If no points are awarded, the podium ceremony specified in Article 63.1 will not take place, however, the television interviews specified in Article 63.1 will take place at the time the podium ceremony would have taken place.
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Fans get more sessions with drivers – and team bosses
The FIA has scheduled more fan sessions involving drivers and added a new one with three team principals at each race:
19.1 (b) Within a one hour period commencing 20 hours and 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of P1, six drivers must be available for fan engagement activities for a maximum period of 30 minutes each (this window includes the time required to travel to and return from the fan activity) within the one hour period.
19.2 (c) Within a one hour period finishing no later than one and a half (1.5) hours prior to the scheduled start of P1, 10 drivers must be available for fan engagement activities for a maximum period of 30 minutes each (this window includes the time required to travel to and return from the fan activity) within the one hour period.
19.2 (e) (iv) Three team principals not taking part in the media activities will be selected by the media delegate in conjunction with the commercial rights holder to take part in fan engagement activities for a maximum period of 30 minutes each (this window includes the time required to travel to and return from the fan activity) within the same one hour period as the media activities.
Teams must present updated cars
Rules introduced last year required teams to display their cars at each race. This was done in order to assist the media to report on how the teams have developed the machines.
A new clause has been added to the rules to ensure teams do not try to hide their newest parts by only fitting them to one car:
19.2 (a) (ii) If only one car will carry the major aerodynamic and bodywork components and assemblies that have not been run at a previous competition or [test of a current car] and are intended to be run at the competition, this car must be the one displayed to media.
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Special DRS rule for sprint races
In sprint races, drivers will be allowed to activate DRS one lap earlier than they are allowed to in grands prix. This is part of a trial which could see the same rule introduced to Sunday’s races next year.
The revised rule states the difference drivers may use DRS:
22.1 (c) (i) after he has completed one lap after the start or following a Safety Car period during each sprint session,
ii) after he has completed two laps after the start or following a safety car period during each race.
Incorrect starting position
A driver will be considered to have started from an incorrect location if their front wheels are not within the sides of their grid position marker as well as the front. This is defined as a car having:
48.1 (c) Any part of the contact patch of its front tyres outside of the lines (front and sides) at the time of the start signal
Automatic pit lane start for race suspension infringement
If a race is suspended and drivers are required to line up in the pit lane, any car which moves out of that lane will now be required to start from the pits – previously a range of penalties was possible:
The updated rule states any driver whose car is moved from the fast lane to any other part of the pit lane:
Will be arranged at the back of the line of cars in the fast lane in the order they got there. Any such cars will be permitted to leave the pit lane when the sprint session or the race is resumed but must re-enter the pit lane when the safety car returns and may join the sprint session or the race once the last car has passed the pit exit after the re-start.
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Winter shutdown
In addition to the long-established summer factory shutdown, another is now enforced during the winter. The rules state all competitors must observe an additional shutdown period:
24. (b) of nine consecutive calendar days starting on the 24 December
Vote on banning tyre warmers for 2024
A series of amended clauses banning the use of tyre warmers have been drafted. These will be implemented based on a vote as described in Appendix 9, Article 2:
Articles 21.3, 26.17, 43.5, 44.4 and 58.3 from the 2023 Sporting Regulations will be retained as the default regulations for 2024 for the period that the FIA and the official tyre supplier are evaluating the technical and safety requirements of operating dry-weather, intermediate and wet-weather tyres without heating devices.
Following this evaluation period, the FIA will provide its recommendation on the use of tyre heating devices for 2024 and subsequent years. If the recommendation is to prohibit tyre heating devices a vote will be held, including the FIA, F1 and the competitors, no later than the 31st July 2023, on the dark red highlighted text […]. For the regulation change to be adopted successfully, the FIA, F1 and a simple majority of competitors (five out of 10) will all have to vote in favour. For the avoidance of doubt, one vote will be taken on the combined changes to tyre heating devices (tyre blankets) detailed in both the appendix six of the Technical Regulations and appendix nine of the Sporting Regulations.
