The latest meeting of the Formula 1 Commission reiterated plans to hold a rookie sprint race and focussed on changes to the starting procedure at Grands Prix.
The Formula 1 Commission includes representatives from F1, the FIA and all 10 teams to discuss regulatory matters within the sport.
Following the previous F1 Commission meeting, the idea of a rookie sprint race to be held at the post-season Abu Dhabi test was widely supported, but delayed beyond 2024 due to “timing and organisational constraints.”
During the latest Commission meeting, the plans to hold an end-of-season rookie sprint race were discussed further and “the commission remains interested in the concept and will consider it further in 2025 with the aim of having a rookie sprint race in 2026.”
As it stands, F1 teams must run rookies in at least two Free Practice 1 sessions.
Teams are also permitted to use rookies in Testing of Previous Car Programmes as well as the post-season Abu Dhabi test.
The theory behind the rookie sprint race is to allow more drivers affiliated with the 10 F1 teams to get race-relevant experience.
With that matter settled, the F1 Commission also confirmed changes to the race start procedure.
This is in light of the confusion made by Williams’ Alex Albon withdrawing from seventh on the grid for the Sao Paulo GP after his car couldn’t be repaired in time for the race.
In that event, his grid slot remained empty, but “the Commission has confirmed a revised protocol for closing up the grid when a team withdraws a car” which will come into effect in 2025.
2025 F1 Technical and Financial changes discussed
The F1 Commission has also approved changes to the technical and financial regulations “including the introduction of a driver cooling kit when heat hazard gets declared following encouraging test results.”
Moreover, “the Commission approved further measures to expand the exclusion of sustainability initiative costs from the financial regulations for 2025.”
Finally, the F1 Commission also noted progress has been made on the 2026 regulatory drafting process with a framework to be presented at the first World Motor Sport Council meeting of 2025.
Among the multiple facets of the framework, “revisions to the Sporting Regulations will incorporate gender-neutral language, highlighting the FIA’s commitment to inclusivity across the board.”
READ MORE – FIA announces F1 rookie race proposal postponed to 2025
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