Formula 1 Engine component allocation and other regulation changes have been altered in F1 in 2023 with immediate effect in time for the next Grand Prix in Baku.
Starting with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on the last weekend of April, drivers will see the allocation of certain engine components increased in Formula One for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Following the F1 Commission meeting on Tuesday 25 April, the World Motor Sport Council has approved some minor updates to the 2023 and 2024 Formula One technical regulations.
Proposals to increase the number of power unit components were discussed at the meeting, and the increase in the number of certain components such as the internal combustion engine (ICE), turbocharger, MGU-H and MGU-K was approved for 2023 from three (3) to four (4).
Until now, six components made up the power unit in Formula 1: the internal combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K, electronic control unit and battery. Under the original 2023 regulations, drivers were entitled to three ICEs, TCs, MGU-Hs and MGU-Ks per season, as well as two ECs and ESs prior to the application of the penalties.
This means that grid penalties will only be applied if a fifth item is used; however, the allowance for electronic control units and batteries remains unchanged.
The F1 Commission also pointed out that the time allocated to the grid procedure at grand prix events has been increased from 40 to 50 minutes. The extra time will be used for the presentation of the drivers to the spectators at certain events.
Other updates…
The updated definition of ‘working on a car’ during a pitstop penalty – which led to the cancellation of Fernando Alonso’s penalty in Jeddah – will now be included in the sporting regulations.
There are also minor revisions to Formula One’s financial regulations, which were introduced into the sport in 2021. Certain sustainability initiative costs will now be added to the list of items excluded from a team’s cost cap.
This includes aspects such as costs associated with the installation of sustainable infrastructure, auditing and monitoring of teams’ carbon footprints and donations to charities engaged in environmental sustainability projects.
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Williams happy
Williams in particular has been calling for some breathing space to allow him to upgrade his Grove facilities as the team has fallen behind competitors over the years when it has been on a tight budget.
What changes the new initiative will allow teams to make without affecting their cap remains to be seen.
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A statement from the FIA
“A specially ad hoc working group within the Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) has developed a proposal to introduce cost exclusion in relation to certain sustainability initiatives from 2023 onwards, with a particular focus on environmental concerns.
“Following support from FAC members and approval by the committee, some of the sustainability initiative costs will now be excluded from the cost cap.
“These exceptions cover, among other things, costs associated with installing sustainable infrastructure, auditing and monitoring the carbon footprint of competitors, and donations to charities engaged in promoting environmental sustainability projects and carbon offset programs. The FAC will continue to improve this regulation.”
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It will take us a while to understand how Toto and MB benefit from these regulation changes.
Toto the Machiavelli has deep plans and works surreptitiously and no one would be the wiser until it is too late. Recall the spicy engines in the last races of 2021.
I suspect his long arm has reached into the FIA, FAC etc. and that they are doing his bidding. He still believes strongly that he can get away with it all. One AD21 has not been enough to convince him otherwise!