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Plans to up minimum car weight from 2015

23 Jan 2014

A 10kg increase in minimum car weight from 2015 was among a number of proposed F1 rules changes announced by the FIA on Thursday following their approval at a meeting of its World Motor Sport Council in Switzerland. All are subject to ratification by the F1 Commission and, in the case of changes for 2014, the teams.

Among the revisions set for introduction this season are a ban on drivers stopping on their slowing-down lap at the end of a race in order to conserve fuel, and a new five-second time penalty which stewards may impose for in-race driving offences.

Amendments to the 2014 Sporting Regulations:

• The Stewards may now impose a five-second time penalty which can be taken before work is carried out on the car in a pit stop

• Team personnel must also wear helmets during qualifying, as well as the race

• Drivers may not stop on the slowing down lap to save fuel for sampling and subsequent analysis; this will not be considered justifiable reason for stopping

• For 2014 only, each team will be allowed six curfew ‘jokers’, previously there were two permitted. This is to allow more flexibility for working on the new engines and cars

Amendments to the 2014 Technical Regulations:

• The weight of the car, without fuel, must not be less than 691kg at all times during the Event. The weight limit has increased by 1kg to take into account the difference in weight between the tyres in 2013 and 2014

Amendments to the 2015 Sporting Regulations:

• To be considered as a constructor, teams will now not need to design and manufacture suspension and brake ducts

Amendments to the 2015 Technical Regulations:

• The car minimum weight has been increased by 10kg, to 701kg, for 2015

• All tyre heating devices will be prohibited in 2015

• For safety reasons, the front part of the chassis will not be able to climb too steeply rearward of the front of the chassis