Power unit and penalty rule changes approved

Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, has approved the simplification of power unit penalties, as proposed by the F1 Strategy Group earlier this month.

It will mean the most a driver can be penalised at a Grand Prix for power unit changes is to be demoted to the rear of the grid. Unused portions of a penalty will no longer be converted into in-race time penalties.

The FIA’s World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) also ratified changes to the sporting regulations giving new power unit manufacturers an extra power unit for each driver to use throughout Grands Prix for the season, bringing the total to five - one more than the existing power unit suppliers.

This will be applied retrospectively to Honda, who returned to Formula One competition with McLaren this season.

Friday’s WMSC meeting in Mexico also saw the update of regulations relating to Super Licenses, with a view to increased flexibility for drivers who have qualified for one but do not have the opportunity to compete in F1 racing. Such drivers - for example, Formula One test drivers - will now keep this possibility for three years.