The World Motor Sport Council has approved the regulations for the F1 engine from 2026 and the new regulations for porpoising in 2023. As a result, almost nothing stands in the way of the new regulations, and possibly the arrival of Porsche and Audi.
The motorcycle regulations were supposed to be established earlier this year, but faced hurdles as teams had to compromise on certain aspects of the regulations to allow new entrants to compete. The approval opens the door for both Porsche and Audi to participate in the sport along with the regulations submitted last week.
Porsche and Audi
A while ago it was announced that Porsche and Red Bull had already wanted to announce their collaboration from 2026 via a press release, but because the regulations for 2026 had not yet been finalized, this was postponed. Now that that doubt has been removed, Audi and Porsche will also be able to take the next step. With these rules, the FIA wants to maintain the spectacle and competitiveness, improve and make sustainability both financially and in terms of engine components and the regulations must ensure new suppliers.
Porpoising
The new regulations regarding porpoising have also been approved by the FIA, which means that in addition to the new technical directive that will take effect from the Belgian Grand Prix, the new rules for 2023 have also been approved. In addition to the changes that will be implemented after the summer break, there will be even more changes before 2023 to prevent porpoising. Among other things, the floor edges must be raised by 15 millimeters before 2023, just like an extra sensor will be added from 2023 to measure porpoising. The ‘throat’ of the diffuser will also be raised, ‘taking care to ensure that this does not affect the design of the mechanical parts by the teams’.
Crash Zhou
Following Zhou Guanyu’s bizarre crash in the first corner of the British Grand Prix, a few safety changes have also been approved. An analysis has been made of the entire incident, including the removal of the Chinese rookies from the car. The conclusion was that the roll hoop had torn off because the pointed top had been dug into the asphalt. In short: the strength of the roll hoop must increase. The technical regulations have therefore been amended in such a way that the hoop must now have a rounded top. Testing of the roll hoop will see further adjustments to ensure the structure remains untouched, with a further overhaul of the testing due to be introduced from 2024. Ben Sulayem added: “It was clear that an update to the roll hoop requirements was needed after Zhou Guanyu’s crash at Silverstone, and while this incident showed us all how remarkable the safety systems are in Formula 1, it proved also reiterate that we must continue to innovate and pursue safety issues without compromise.” Want to read this and a few other changes? Click on the tweet below!
The World Motor Sport Council approves F1 2026 Power Unit Regulations and updated 2022-2023 Technical Regulationshttps://t.co/KhmUokLoJV pic.twitter.com/JOwCl3Dq90
— FIA (@fia) August 16, 2022
