A new driver penalty points system has been given the go-ahead for the 2014 season following it’s approval by the World Motor Sport Council on Friday.
The new system will see points awarded in addition to or in place of a traditional penalty. Each driver is allowed a maximum of 12 points during a 12 month period – should they exceed that, they will face a one-race ban at the next event.
One point will be given for a minor offence, whilst a maximum of three can be handed down for a more severe offence.
The FIA will also give a driver the opportunity to give back any advantage they may have gained by leaving the track, before punishment or points are handed out.
OTHER CHANGES TO THE SPORTING REGULATIONS
Several changes were announced on Friday, including a relaxation of the in-season testing rules.
Four two-day track tests will be allowed in season in place of the current eight one-day promotional days and the three-day young driver test. These will take place at tracks in Europe on the Tuesday and Wednesday after a race in order to ensure minimal additional resources are necessary.
Track testing will now also be permitted in January 2014 in order to allow earlier testing of the new power units.
With the additional cost testing brings, the FIA hope a reduction in wind tunnel and CFD testing will compensate.
“A significant reduction in the amount of wind tunnel testing and CFD work has been imposed to help reduce costs and potentially allow two teams to share one wind tunnel,” read a statement.
Each driver will also be provided with one extra set of dry tyres for use only during the first 30 minutes of the first practice session on Friday, to encourage teams to take to the track at that time without having to worry about using valuable tyre wear.
