Formula 1 believes the current system is not a sufficient deterrent, so stronger sanctions are being considered to prevent teams from making tactical changes to power plants in the future.
The F1 committee met in Abu Dhabi on Thursday to discuss a number of possible changes for the future of F1. The meeting was attended by commercial rights holders, the FIA and official representatives of all 10 teams. One of the issues discussed was the possibility of introducing more severe sanctions for power blocs to prevent tactical changes.
In the current system, drivers are limited in the number of each powertrain they can use throughout the season, and exceeding this limit attracts a grid penalty. Breaking the first restriction of the season for each element will result in a 10th place grid penalty, but any additional elements will result in a 5th place grid drop. Limits have been set to try and encourage teams to be more consistent and distribute the power elements. It therefore became common practice for teams to switch tactical powers, such as using a completely new one-move start to trigger a backstage penalty and then only taking the penalty for five points.
At teams meeting
However, this could change in the future after the F1 committee talks about. Overhauling the system and agrees that harsher penalties should be introduced in the future. “We agreed that the current system is not robust enough to prevent teams from making strategic powertrain changes. And recommends more component changes than necessary when drivers are charged above a certain penalty level. The FIA said in – a statement. and F1 after the Abu Dhabi meeting.
“This ultimately leads to higher parts costs and exceeds the annual drive element limit.”
Only five drivers Daniel Ricciardo, Lance Stroll, Sebastian Vettel, Alex Albon and Nicolas Latifi. Stayed within the three-engine limit all season. With seven drivers reaching the six-engine limit. The matter will be discussed further by the Sport. And Powertrain Advisory Committee, which will complete a review of possible changes before presenting a proposed rule.
Other news from the F1 committee meeting concerned tire blankets. Which were initially banned in 2024 as blanket temperatures dropped the following year. But the revised full-temperature tests in Austin and Mexico have sparked backlash from drivers. And teams who are concerned about fitting cars with cold tyres.
After this weekend, F1’s board said it had “decided to defer its final decision until July 2023 to allow further data collection. And feedback testing to fully substantiate its conclusions”.