FIA drops rule restricting F1 helmet design changes
The FIA has dropped the rule that restricted how many times a Formula 1 driver could change their helmet livery during the season
The rule was originally introduced to help the spectators identify drivers more easily.
However, it was unpopular with many competitors who liked to change their designs on a regular basis, such as Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel.
The rule stated: "In order for drivers to be easily distinguished from one another whilst they are on the track, the crash helmet of each driver must, with the exception of one event of the driver's choice, be presented in substantially the same livery at every event during a championship season.
"A change to helmet livery will also be permitted if a driver changes team during a championship season."
However, the teams agreed to drop the rule, and that decision was officially approved today by the WMSC, who noted that "unrestricted variations to driver helmet designs between races" will henceforth be allowed.
The WMSC also formally confirmed the 2020 minimum car weight increase from 745kg to 746kg, and clarified that the post-season test in Abu Dhabi will be used to assess Pirelli's 2021 18-inch tyres.
A series of changes were also approved for the 2021 technical regulations, which have undergone extra scrutiny since they were published in October.
They include some designed purely to give the teams extra bodywork space for sponsorship logos, as well as stricter impact tests that have been influenced in part by last year's Spa F2 accident:
- Changes to the front wing profiles to prevent downwash which would have resulted in a severe compromise to the overall objectives to allow cars to race more closely
- Front wing endplates, top bodywork and rear wing endplates have been modified to give the teams more commercial space
- Drastic improvements to the strength and energy absorption of the chassis in front, lateral and rear impacts
- A number of updates to considerably improve electrical (high voltage) safety on the cars
- Tethers will be mandated for rear wing and rear impact structures
The WSMC also confirmed that US company Kulite Semiconductor Products has been appointed as the official supplier for power unit pressure and temperature sensors for 2021-23.
In a change to the new 2021 financial regulations, it now allows "monitoring activities to be performed by Cost Cap Administrators at any point in time, remotely or at F1 teams' premises."
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Krack: Aston Martin F1 team no longer in “no-man’s land”
Gasly rues costly floor damage from Ocon contact in F1 Japanese GP
How an F1 underachiever became a Japanese political player
Mercedes joins Williams and RB with 'quick and cheap' F1 cockpit airflow upgrades
Alpine gets F1 spare car for first time in 2024 as lighter chassis appears in China
F1 Chinese GP: Stroll leads FP1 as small fire causes early red flag
Live: F1 Chinese GP updates – FP1 & Sprint qualifying
Why F1 2026 worst case fears could be key to new rules success
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
What's been going wrong for Leclerc in F1's tiny margins qualifying game
What the Chinese GP's highlights reveal about its first F1 race for five years
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments