2013 regulations published - *No* changes!

Hey,

The 2013 sporting & technical regulations were just published on the FIA site. [2014 have been available for months.]

A quick scan leads me to believe they're identical to this year - Unless they've gone away from their previous practice of highlighting any changes in pink - There are none.

I did check the exhaust regs in depth - Charlie was thinking about a change there, but clause 5.8 is identical to now.

The sole change (which is in pink! ) is article 2.2; "General principles - Amendments to the regulations.

It used to say any changes to the regs may only be made in accordance with the provisions of the 2009 Concorde Agreement..... "2009 Concorde agreement" has been deleted and replaced with "the code". [WTF that may be!.....]

So, to all those who claim they're constantly changing the rules;

Cheers,
Ian

 

They added this:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102883

 

Damnit! - I can't get there until next month (!) I've reached my "50 free articles per month" limit.....

Mind doing a quick C&P into here? Thanks! [Or, at least quoting the clause(s) that have changed?]

Cheers,
Ian

 

Its formalising the stepped nose covering plate regulation http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=383184

 

Ian, the article is simply saying they are allowing for a valance panel to get rid of the ugly stepped noses.



I thought for sure Charlie was going to further crank down on all those fancy exhaust system.

 

No biggie Ian, although scroll down to the Double DRS ban:

Formula 1 teams will have the option of fitting a special panel to their cars next year to help hide stepped noses, the FIA has confirmed.

Following discussions between teams to come up with a solution to the ugly designs that would not entail a big redesign for next year, motor racing's governing body has rubber stamped new rules that will allow a special 'modesty panel' to be fitted.

In a version of the 2013 regulations that was published by the FIA on Thursday, it provided details of the panel that can be fitted to help cover up the step change between the low noses and high chassis of the current generation of cars.

The new Article 3.7.9 of the Technical Regulations states: "With the exception of an optional, single piece, non-structural fairing of prescribed laminate (whose precise lay-up may be found in the Appendix to the regulations) which may not be more than 625mm above the reference plane at any point, no bodywork situated more than
1950mm forward of rear face of the cockpit entry template may be more than 550mm above the reference plane."

McLaren technical director Paddy Lowe said recently that the use of a panel was important because teams could just fit it over existing chassis designs, with some outfits reluctant to make big car changes for next year.

"We have agreed a rule that allows a 'modesty panel', which in effect means you can take the existing cars and exiting structures that have a step and put a cover there," he said at the Italian Grand Prix.

"The way it is managed is that the laminate and size of that panel is limited so that you cannot create an aero [advantage] out of it and also so that it plays no part in the forward impact."

Double DRS ban

The new technical regulations also include a clause that will outlaw the type of double DRS that Mercedes used since the start of the season.

Article 3.18 states that the moveable rear wing: "cannot be used to change the geometry of any duct, either directly or indirectly, other than the change to the distance between adjacent sections permitted by Article 3.10.2."

The rules do not make any reference to outlawing the type of double DRS that Lotus has pioneered, and which Mercedes is now working hard on.

 

From Autosport:

F1 teams write to FIA to express worries about regulation changes

By Jonathan Noble and Dieter Rencken Thursday, September 27th 2012, 14:12 GMT

McLaren and Mercedes are among seven teams who have written to the FIA expressing 'concern' about future rules changes, AUTOSPORT can reveal.

Ahead of a crunch meeting of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council on Friday to discuss F1's path for the next few years, there have been growing worries about plans to change the way the sport is governed as well as the way cost controls are being implemented.

In particular, a move to have only six teams on the Formula 1 Commission, allied to an increase in entry fees and the failure to implement an FIA-controlled Resource Restriction Agreement, have left a number of outfits agitated.

Sources have revealed that seven teams - McLaren, Mercedes, Force India, Sauber, Caterham, Marussia, HRT - have sent a joint letter to Jean Todt urging him to understand their 'concerns' about the situation.

In regards to governance, amid talk that the current think tanks the Technical Working Group and Sporting Working Group could be disbanded as part of a move that will see teams have just six members on an 18-strong F1 Commission, they are worried that they may lose influence on rule stability.

In the letter, a copy of which has been seen by AUTOSPORT, they wrote: "The Teams ... accept there may be the need to review the composition and operation of an F1 Commission, but do not wish to diminish the authority of the Teams in such a forum.

"In relation to the structure of the revamped Formula One Commission from 2013 onwards, the Teams are concerned over the proposed composition, with a reduction from twelve Teams to only six. Retaining the status quo is the preferred option."

There is also some confusion as to why the FIA, at a time when it is urging teams to reduce costs, is proposing a dramatic increase in team's entry fees for 2013 - as first revealed by AUTOSPORT.

"At a time when the FIA and Teams are actively engaged in cost control, the Teams wish to repeat their concern at such a significant increase," stated the letter.

"Moreover, Team fees and Driver Super Licence fees should be kept separate, and not bundled together."

Regarding cost controls, the teams request that the FIA make a push to introduce rules that help keep expenditure under control – as well as ensure a voluntary RRA comes in for 2013.

"It is our understanding that 10 of the current entrants voted to implement the chassis FIA RRA in 2013 and that there was unanimous support for a chassis/power-unit cost limitations FIA RRA in 2014," they said.

"Under the circumstances therefore, we would like to support the full introduction of a chassis RRA and power-unit cost limitations in 2014, with a voluntary chassis RRA submission procedure to the FIA implemented for 2013."

The WMSC meeting is also expected to discuss the draft F1 calendar that has been put forward by Bernie Ecclestone, with an official provisional calendar likely to be agreed subject to a final ratification in December.

 

Thanks guys!

I guess the title should be "No significant changes"

I dunno about the "modesty panel" - Unless it improves the aero they won't bother just to make 'em look "pretty" IMO.

I guess the DDRS change outlaws Mercs doohickey and any other efforts to do the same (?) Fair enough, no big deal - Doesn't seem to be working too well anyway......

Cheers,
Ian