The 2023 Formula 1 had received many rule changes that were not received well. However, for the upcoming seasons, the changes are looking to be more stable. So, here are the nine rule changes that have been made for the new season.
1. Review time periods
The “Right of Reviews” in FIA’s International Sporting Code will be revised. Using this right, teams could appeal to a decision or situation that happened in a previous race. Earlier, teams had a window of 14 days to appeal but according to the new rule, the appeal has to be lodged within 96 hours.
2. Increase in potential fines
For a decade, the maximum fine for an offense under the International Sporting Code was €250,000 (£215,000, $270,000). However, now the fine has gone up to €1 million. FIA has also increased fines for other categories.
3. F1 Sprint formal tweaks
From this year, the Sprint weekend’s format will get a small change. Instead of Saturday, the Sprint Qualifying will move to Friday. It will take place after an initial free practice session. The 100km Sprint will then take place on Saturday while the Grand Prix will take place on Sunday as usual.
4. Bigger promotional events
To shoot promotional footage teams would only have two occasions. Moreover, the total mileage for these events was limited to a total of 100km mileage which includes 20 laps of a 5 km circuit. However, the new rule will allow for more shaking-down of cars and shooting footage as the mileage has been doubled to 200 km but with one event per day.
5. Changes to testing old cars
Teams are allowed to use cars at least two years old in a testing program. However, any component that is part of the testing car must have been used at a race weekend. This rule has been put in place so that teams cannot use brand-new parts on an old car to try to get around the testing restrictions.
6. Increased CapEx limits
For the 2024 season, the CapEx limits for the ten teams have increased. The four teams that have averaged the last four positions post-2020 have had their limit increased to $65 million. The teams include Haas, Alfa Romeo, AlphaTauri and Williams. The middle teams (McLaren, Aston Martin, and Alpine) and the top three teams Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari have also had their limits extended to $58 million and $51 million respectively.
7. Stricter roll hoop requirements
Following Zhou Guanyu’s crash in the 2022 British Grand Prix, there had been some changes that were made to the roll hoop requirements. Doubling down on safety, roll hoops are now required to withstand even stricter load tests.
8. Plan for wheel displays dropped
The 2022 regulations allowed for wheel covers that could display information while also impacting the aerodynamics. The wheel cover may also have added to the weight of the car. However, the rule was retracted last year and has been confirmed not to be implemented in the 2024 season.
9. DRS Activation
A new rule will now allow for the DRS activation to be anticipated one lap after the race begins. This means the DRS will be activated after the re-start which previously used to be two laps.
