FIA issues revised 21-race 2016 F1 calendar

The FIA held its latest World Motor Sport Council meeting today in Paris.

During the Council meeting, the following decisions were taken:

2016 F1 Schedule

— 20 March - Melbourne
— 3 April - Sakhir
— 17 April - Shanghai
— 1 May - Sochi
— 15 May - Barcelona
— 29 May - Monte Carlo
— 12 June - Montreal
— 19 June - Baku *
— 3 July - Spielberg
— 10 July - Silverstone
— 24 July - Hungaroring
— 31 July - Hockenheim
— 28 August - Spa-Francorchamps
— 4 September - Monza
— 18 September - Singapore
— 2 October - Sepang
— 9 October - Suzuka
— 23 October - Austin
— 6 November - Mexico City
— 13 November - Interlagos
— 27 November - Yas Marina

*race start to be scheduled to avoid conflict with the conclusion of the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Other decisions for Formula 1:

Cars must now comply with all cockpit and safety equipment requirements during testing; such as the position of the driver’s head, all headrest padding, cockpit padding and ease of driver egress.

Sporting Regulations regarding track limits have been clarified and specify that drivers “must make every reasonable effort to use the track at all times and may not deliberately leave the track without a justifiable reason”. Penalties will still be allocated based on whether a driver is judged to have gained an advantage.

The WMSC approved the proposal of the F1 Commission regarding regulations for power unit and gearbox changes. Such penalties prior to qualifying will be applied based on the time of use. For changes made after qualifying, preference will be given to the driver whose team first informed the technical delegate that a change will occur.

Any driver who causes a start to be aborted, even if he is then able to start the extra formation lap, will be required to start the race from the pit lane. The same process will be applied to a re-start from a race suspension where drivers have been brought to the pit lane.

The WMSC confirmed a number of clarifications were made to aerodynamic testing restrictions for wind tunnel use and CFD, specifically focusing on reporting and inspection processes for these development tools.

For 2016, all cars must have a separate exhaust wastegate tailpipe through which all and only wastegate exhaust gases must pass. This measure has been undertaken to increase the noise of the cars and will not have any significant effect on power or emissions.

For 2017, on board cameras on stalks on the nose of cars will be prohibited.