DECEMBER 8, 2006

The World Council meets

The World Motor Sport Council met in Monaco this morning and made the following decisions. As plan ned F1 will undergo considerable change in the years ahead with a switch towards renewable energy to make the sport more relevant to the motor industry. There will be moves to reduce aerodynamic efficiency with the possible elimination of aerodynamic appendices (such as barge boards, winglets, chimneys, etc) in 2008 and perhaps restrictions on the use of windtunnels as well, although this is dangerous as it could create more problems as introducing aerodynamic freezes for a number of races would result in the development of multiple desihgn teams and two or three new cars a year. In 2009 the FIA wants a 50% reduction in downforce and other changes to try to improve overtaking and in 2010 there will be an attempt to have wholly or partially standardised aerodynamics (or, possibly, new rules to encourage road-relevant research into aerodynamics). If all goes to plan 2011 would see new engines with four-race engines including high-efficiency turbocharging, fuel (energy) flow limits, direct injection and downsizing and bio fuels. Beyond that there are vague suggestions about new chassis and limiting new materials. The FIA Senate has been mandated to finalise its regulation changes to the 2009 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, following a meeting on 19 December 2006. These will be voted on before 31 December 2006, in order for them to be incorporated into that championship. It is not clear why this decision should be taken by the Senate as this body does not normally have a formal role in the decision-making process. This is presumably because there is no Concorde Agreement at the moment and so decisions can be made pretty much as the FIA wants.