2016 Changes to F1/tyres

[Tony]

http://teamstre.am/1jz54c7

Excerpts:

“The World Motor Sport Council approved, by a near unanimous number (just one vote against), a mandate for the FIA President, Jean Todt and the Representative of the Commercial Rights Holder, Bernie Ecclestone to make recommendations and decisions regarding a number of pressing issues in Formula One such as governance, Power Units and cost reduction,” the statement reads.

Other changes included the approval of a third dry tire compound for races in 2016 and the introduction of the Virtual Safety Car to practice sessions, while DRS usage after VSC periods has now become immediate.

Finally, Ferrari has been given permission to supply power units to a fourth team for 2016, all but confirming that it will once again become Toro Rosso’s engine partner for the new season.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wonder if it was Ferrari that voted against this...

[Stormy]

Is this precise enough? What does this really mean? Todd and Ecclestone will be able to decide on rules regarding Power Units and cost reduction? Will their decision be the most important one? Will everyone be obliged to follow their decision?

[NenoX]

http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/...rs-more-choice

New tyre rules aimed at improving racing offer drivers more choice

New tyre regulations will be introduced next season in the hope of mixing up race strategies and improving the show.

After several races this year resulted in dull one-stop strategies, the FIA and tyre supplier Pirelli looked at ways to mix up the racing. The result is a system whereby drivers have a degree of choice over which compound they have available during a race weekend.

Next year five compounds will be used over the course of the season, including the new ultra-soft and the four existing compounds. Ahead of each grand prix, Pirelli will nominate three of the five for a race weekend.

Of the 13 sets of tyres available to each driver, Pirelli will choose two for the race (only one of which must be used in the race) and one set of the softest compound to be used in the final session of qualifying. Each driver will then select the remaining ten sets of tyres from compounds of his choice. In the race one of the tyres selected by Pirelli must be used, but the driver will have free reign to decide on strategy beyond that.

In theory the new regulations should allow drivers to pick compounds that best suit their car, driving style and strategy demands.

[TigerKing]

Is this precise enough? What does this really mean? Todd and Ecclestone will be able to decide on rules regarding Power Units and cost reduction? Will their decision be the most important one? Will everyone be obliged to follow their decision?

According to the wording in this article (paragraph 3), it seems like they are in charge:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122104

Teams are selfish and will prioritise for themselves only (except Ferrari to a small extent). If FOM and FIA make the rules, FOM will make them for entertainment (us as audience) and FIA will make the rules safe.
What does the third compound mean? Ultra, super and soft? Won't this increase costs by 50%???

[Fireblade]

"Wonder if it was Ferrari that voted against this..."


Ferrari don't even have a vote. Here's the membership of the WMSC. I'd guess the vote against came from François Cornelis, representing the manufacturers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIA_Wo..._Sport_Council

[Nova]

I like if the teams have that many compounds to choose from..that way, a team
has a better chance of picking a compound better suited to their car.

[KimiBot]

http://www.fia.com/news/fia-announce...il-decisions-0

[abbottcostello]

http://teamstre.am/1jz54c7

Excerpts:

“The World Motor Sport Council approved, by a near unanimous number (just one vote against), a mandate for the FIA President, Jean Todt and the Representative of the Commercial Rights Holder, Bernie Ecclestone to make recommendations and decisions regarding a number of pressing issues in Formula One such as governance, Power Units and cost reduction,” the statement reads.

Other changes included the approval of a third dry tire compound for races in 2016 and the introduction of the Virtual Safety Car to practice sessions, while DRS usage after VSC periods has now become immediate.

Finally, Ferrari has been given permission to supply power units to a fourth team for 2016, all but confirming that it will once again become Toro Rosso’s engine partner for the new season.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wonder if it was Ferrari that voted against this...

Not to be overlooked, the PU's Ferrari supplies will be 2015 Spec. as FIA has opened up the regs. to allow this...

"Power Units homologated in previous seasons may now be re-homologated. Previously no manufacturer could supply more than one specification of PU. The World Motor Sport Council was also advised that the FIA had agreed for Ferrari to supply a fourth customer team with a 2015-specification Power Unit in 2016."

[The Architect]

http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/...rs-more-choice

New tyre rules aimed at improving racing offer drivers more choice

New tyre regulations will be introduced next season in the hope of mixing up race strategies and improving the show.

After several races this year resulted in dull one-stop strategies, the FIA and tyre supplier Pirelli looked at ways to mix up the racing. The result is a system whereby drivers have a degree of choice over which compound they have available during a race weekend.

Next year five compounds will be used over the course of the season, including the new ultra-soft and the four existing compounds. Ahead of each grand prix, Pirelli will nominate three of the five for a race weekend.

Of the 13 sets of tyres available to each driver, Pirelli will choose two for the race (only one of which must be used in the race) and one set of the softest compound to be used in the final session of qualifying. Each driver will then select the remaining ten sets of tyres from compounds of his choice. In the race one of the tyres selected by Pirelli must be used, but the driver will have free reign to decide on strategy beyond that.

In theory the new regulations should allow drivers to pick compounds that best suit their car, driving style and strategy demands.

I've read and reread these regs several times but I still don't get it. So now we have just one set of special ultra soft qualy tyres? Are we going to have a Pirelli-sponsored qualy feature to plug their tyres? What's the point in being able to nominate 3 sets of tyres if Pirelli get one of the choices and we still have to use their choice and only one other? Why do we allow these attention hungry imbeciles to dictate rules?

[killer]

Would anyone know if there is a cost difference in the production of the tyre compounds? Would a supersoft tyre cost more than a medium or hard tyre?

[Rob]

NEW TYRE RULES TRIGGER F1 CONFUSION

Friday 4 December at 08:35 : Dec.4 (GMM) F1's governing body and Pirelli had heads scratching this week as new rules for 2016 were rubber-stamped.

It was already known that the sport had decided to spice up the action by giving more freedom to the teams regarding the selection of tyre compounds in future.

It means three compounds will now be supplied instead of two -- but it is there that the simplicity ends.

Of each driver's 13 tyre sets next year, Pirelli "will choose two for the race (only one of which must be used in the race)," the World Motor Sport Council announced, "and one set (the softest available) that may only be used in Q3."

And unless wet tyres are used, "a driver must use at least two different specifications of dry-weather tyres -- at least one of these must be the one chosen by the tyre supplier," the FIA added.

In its own statement, Pirelli added: "The two mandatory sets chosen by Pirelli can be of two different compounds, from the three that have been nominated for the race weekend.

"The choices for each car will remain secret until 2 weeks before the race," F1's official tyre supplier continued. "The choices made by each team can vary for each of its cars: so each driver within a team can have a different allocation."

Not only that, teams will have to decide which tyres to 'give back' to Pirelli by certain deadlines, including during practice 1, and the end of FP1, FP2 and FP3 sessions.

"The two mandatory sets nominated by Pirelli cannot be given back during practice and must be available for use in the race. At least one of these two sets must be used during the race -- but the teams can decide which one," the Pirelli statement added.

At least two drivers, past and present, admitted their confusion.

"I've got a headache after reading this!" said former F1 driver and now occasional TV pundit Karun Chandhok on Twitter, adding the hashtag 'UsualOvercomplicatedF1'.

And Romain Grosjean added: "So far the new tyre regulation isn't clear to me. I'm glad I have an engineer to help."

http://www.onestopstrategy.com/artic...confusion.html

[wisepie]

This sounds interesting in theory but as usual it's too complicated and will be a nightmare to follow for all but the most dedicated amongst us!!

[TigerKing]

What I understood is that there are 3 compounds per weekend: Prime, Option and Qualy. Out of the 13 sets:
2 sets given by Pirelli with at least one set used in the race: Option and Prime
1 set given by Pirelli for Qualification: Qualy tyres
10 sets chosen by the teams: Any combination of Qualy, Option and Prime
In other words, Pirelli is basically forcing the teams to use the two compound rule by making the teams use one of their two sets. The teams will then likely use their own sets for the race.

I wish Pirelli had proper Qualy tyres though. A set that is too soft for the race and would only last for 5 laps because of how soft they are!

[abbottcostello]

At least Romain has an engineer to interpret the tyre regs. I was somewhat & after reading it through 2 or 3 times.

[Stormy]

At least Romain has an engineer to interpret the tyre regs.

Haha yeah. This is pretty funny. This just proves how complicated F1 is becoming. If an F1 driver struggles to understand the regulations about tires, what about the average fan...

[TigerKing]

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ec...ld-destroy-f1/

The link reveals that Ferrari was the lone dissenter who did not want Todt/Eccelstone with power over the rules. It seems quite selfish of Ferrari to do that. Our immunity veto power is hurtful enough for the sport. I hope Ferrari doesn't do anything too political or selfish and let the sport grow!
Even though I blame Bernie for a lot of problems, he was the one who made F1 a rich man's hobby to the most watched annual sport in the world. He knows what he's doing.

[abbottcostello]

Tyre choices for the Australian GP were due to be submitted to FIA today, Dec 11

The FIA's rules state: “Competitors must then inform the FIA, no less than eight weeks before the start of each Event held in Europe and fourteen weeks before the start of each Event held outside Europe, which specifications of dry-weather tyres they wish to use for each of their drivers at the Event.”

They were given an extra week due to the fact it is a new system & the new tyre tests in Abu Dhabi were last week, so Dec. 18.

It just keeps getting better... :xmaseek:

[The Architect]

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ec...ld-destroy-f1/

The link reveals that Ferrari was the lone dissenter who did not want Todt/Eccelstone with power over the rules. It seems quite selfish of Ferrari to do that. Our immunity veto power is hurtful enough for the sport. I hope Ferrari doesn't do anything too political or selfish and let the sport grow!
Even though I blame Bernie for a lot of problems, he was the one who made F1 a rich man's hobby to the most watched annual sport in the world. He knows what he's doing.

On the contrary, equivalence formulae discussed by Bernie and the FIA are the most harmful element now on the agenda. If this isn't stopped, we'll have an absurd multi-class formula with obscure balance of performance equations with the ability to skew performance more than anything in the WEC.

[Stormy]

On the contrary, equivalence formulae discussed by Bernie and the FIA are the most harmful element now on the agenda. If this isn't stopped, we'll have an absurd multi-class formula with obscure balance of performance equations with the ability to skew performance more than anything in the WEC.

You mean absurd multi-class as budget engines vs manufacturer engines? This may be good to be frank. But it may not work because if the budget engines prove to be equal or very near at performance with those the manufacturers make, the manufacturers may lose big marketing values. So...manufacturers will do anything to prevent this.
I don't know, this looks like war to me. Everyone got its own agenda. The manufacturers agenda is to sell cars and they are making the rules for their commercial cars which are not very fun obviously. The FIA and Bernie wants something else, but i don't what, whatever, they surely got an agenda. The thing is, we don't know what result will give this equivalence Formula. It may be OK. The manufacturers ways has shown that are not great. We already can see that. So maybe its time to see what Bernie and the FIA has in store for us? it can't get worse then the current situation right?

[gvera]

From AUTOSPORT


For the 2016 Formula 1 season there is a new tyre compound - the ultra-soft - and new rules governing the use of manufacturer Pirelli's rubber.

The intention is to spice up grands prix by creating more strategic variety, but the regulations have even left some of the drivers confused.

Autosport drills down into the detail of what's new, and what is and is not allowed.

Is the total number of sets of tyres available over a weekend still the same?

Yes, this hasn't changed. There are still 13. In previous seasons there were seven sets of prime and six sets of option available over a weekend per driver.

Of the 13 sets now, two are chosen for the race by Pirelli - and could be of differing compounds (with three available per race, and not two). A set of the softest is also set aside for Q3.

Of the 10 remaining sets, teams/drivers choose what they would like from the three available compounds.

Of those 10 sets, are the ratios for each team/driver pre-determined?

No. The ratio depends on a team's strategy for the weekend. For example, if a team fails to send its choice to the FIA it receives a standard allocation of three sets of the harder compound, four of the middle, and three of the softer. It can play with any combination of the numbers dependent on set-up of the car, driver style etc.

Will teams still get an extra set of tyres for the first 30 minutes of first practice?

Previously one set of 'prime' only tyres was used for the opening half hour of FP1. This set came from the seven sets of primes available over a weekend. Now, one set of the 10 chosen by the team/driver can be used for the first 40 minutes. It means they have the option of running whichever of the three compounds available.

Can teams still use the softest compound available in Q1 and Q2?

Yes, providing they have chosen enough sets of the softest among their pre-selected 10 sets for the weekend.

Is the 'mandatory Q3 specification' effectively a qualifying tyre and can it be used in the race too?

It doesn't carry the name 'qualifying tyre', but as it is the softest of the trio of compounds available then it can effectively be viewed as such. And it can be used in the race too. Most likely top 10 cars will qualify in Q2 with this compound, therefore they have to start the race on it.

Does the stipulation that drivers have to start races on their Q2 tyres still apply?

Yes, as stated in the regulations, "at the start of the race each car which qualified for Q3 must be fitted with the tyres with which the driver set his fastest time during Q2".

We now know three tyre compounds will be made available for a race, but can all three be used in a race?

Quite simply, yes.

Do the same rules apply for the minimum use of a compound in each race?

The rules simply state "each driver must use at least two different specifications of dry-weather tyres during the race". So if it's one lap on a set of softs and 50-odd laps on a set of mediums, that's within the rules.

Does the 'mandatory race tyre specification' mean it's not really a free tyre choice?

There is a free choice because while Pirelli is selecting two sets of tyres for a race, there are still another 10 available for a team/driver to go as aggressive or as conservative as they wish.

Even if Pirelli nominates two different compounds for its mandatory race sets, teams still have a completely free choice from the three nominated compounds for their other tyres.

Do the early deadlines mean drivers are committing to tyre strategies months ahead of a race?

Effectively, yes, because with the new rules, teams/drivers must inform the FIA eight weeks before the start of a European event, and 14 weeks before a non-European race, the ratios of the three compounds they wish to use at that event, after being supplied with the options a week beforehand.

Will the super-soft, let's say, be the same compound everywhere, or are those names now generic to cover a range of options?

Pirelli has decided to retain the current names. They will always be associated with that particular compound.

In short, how will tyre strategy in an average 2016 grand prix be different to tyre strategy in an average 2015 grand prix?

Over the past two seasons Pirelli has slipped from its original mandate from when it entered F1 in 2011 of providing tyres that will ensure drivers have to pit at least twice in a grand prix.

Primarily that has been due to the introduction of the hybrid power unit, with the teams keen to focus on that rather than over-concern themselves on tyres, leading to Pirelli deliberatly designing tyres that had less impact on how races turned out.

It is hoped with the introduction of a new compound, to make five in total, and with teams able to use all three compounds available for a race, the possibility of different strategies will increase in an exponential way with two or three pitstops.

Are there any particular races that will be dramatically changed by this?

Pirelli believes all the races can potentially be very different compared to 2015, especially at the beginning of the season when all teams will likely struggle to apply the new rules, introducing a high level of uncertainty.

[gvera]

From Grand Prix Tours Newsletter

Ferrari challenging Ecclestone mandate

Dec.11 (GMM) Ferrari is challenging the new "mandate" given by the FIA to Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt to address problems within formula one.

In late October, F1's governing body announced that while wanting to set a price limit for engines and gearboxes, Ferrari exercised its unique and historic "right of veto".

"In the interest of the championship, the FIA has decided not to legally challenge (Ferrari's) use of its right of veto," the FIA said in a statement.

Then, at the latest meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, a "near unanimous" vote saw F1 supremo Ecclestone and FIA president Todt handed a "mandate" to address "a number of pressing issues in formula one".

Ecclestone argues that the current governance processes in F1 are destroying the sport, with the new mandate relating to "governance, power units and cost reduction".

But Ferrari is once again playing a spoiler role, Ecclestone told the BBC this week.

The 85-year-old Briton said he has received a legal letter from the Maranello marque suggesting the "mandate" is not enforceable.

But Ecclestone claims he could "ignore what Ferrari have said and carry on with it and say 'You've got a choice -- you can leave or go to arbitration and see what the arbitrators think'.

"I think if we went to arbitration, we'd win easy," he claimed.

Ferrari is not denying that it is challenging the mandate.

The "intention is simply to make sure that the governance principles" already in place in F1 "continue to be duly complied with", a team spokesperson is quoted as saying.

[TigerKing]

From Grand Prix Tours Newsletter

Ferrari challenging Ecclestone mandate

Dec.11 (GMM) Ferrari is challenging the new "mandate" given by the FIA to Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt to address problems within formula one.

In late October, F1's governing body announced that while wanting to set a price limit for engines and gearboxes, Ferrari exercised its unique and historic "right of veto".

"In the interest of the championship, the FIA has decided not to legally challenge (Ferrari's) use of its right of veto," the FIA said in a statement.

Then, at the latest meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, a "near unanimous" vote saw F1 supremo Ecclestone and FIA president Todt handed a "mandate" to address "a number of pressing issues in formula one".

Ecclestone argues that the current governance processes in F1 are destroying the sport, with the new mandate relating to "governance, power units and cost reduction".

But Ferrari is once again playing a spoiler role, Ecclestone told the BBC this week.

The 85-year-old Briton said he has received a legal letter from the Maranello marque suggesting the "mandate" is not enforceable.

But Ecclestone claims he could "ignore what Ferrari have said and carry on with it and say 'You've got a choice -- you can leave or go to arbitration and see what the arbitrators think'.

"I think if we went to arbitration, we'd win easy," he claimed.

Ferrari is not denying that it is challenging the mandate.

The "intention is simply to make sure that the governance principles" already in place in F1 "continue to be duly complied with", a team spokesperson is quoted as saying.

C'mon, Ferrari needs to calm down. At least let Bernie propose something rather than preventing him from doing anything. Last time i checked, we didn't veto the V6 turbo engines. Seems like Ferrari's agenda is to make money and win championships regardless of the health of the sport. Teams don't think long term and neither do the rights holders apparently.

[Rob]

F1's 2017 plan is 'wrong for the show' says Mercedes' Aldo Costa
By Ian Parkes

Formula 1's major rules shake-up for 2017 is "wrong for the show" and will only make overtaking more difficult, according to Mercedes engineering director Aldo Costa.

F1 is looking to make cars five to six seconds quicker for '17 via the introduction of wider front and rear tyres and a new aerodynamic shape.

To date, no specific regulations have been announced as the engineers are still mulling over the specifics of what is required.

With the clock ticking the teams are not only working towards developing the 2016 car, but also devoting time and resources to an as-yet-unspecified '17 model.

"Combining the 2016 and 2017 programmes is going to be very difficult, and difficult for Formula 1 in general," Costa told Autosport.

"We have these new rules, but there are a lot of things in them that are wrong for the show in our opinion, and we need to say that.

"As engineers we feel we have done quite a lot for the car being able to overtake, with the previous rules and the current rules.

"By going to a car that has an enormous amount of downforce and a very complex aerodynamic shape, in our opinion it will make overtaking more difficult. That's our fear at this moment.

"We cannot demonstrate it, but are expressing that in the technical meetings with the FIA and the engineers in the other teams.

"So that's the discussion. What's the best rule change for improving the overtaking, but meeting the target of having these faster cars?"

In terms of a way forward, Costa added: "We believe we should go towards improving mechanical grip, more than a pure aerodynamic exercise.

"The discussion is still open with the FIA, still ongoing. There are possibilities to express opinions and discuss them."

Despite the difficulties being posed with the tandem programmes, Costa feels it affords Mercedes an opportunity to flex its technical muscle again.

"Aside from 2017 we've next year's car as well, so again another big effort is required from an organisational point of view," said Costa.

"We want to win next year, but we also dream of winning through a big rule change.

"That would be fantastic for us as an organisation. It would be a demonstration of really strong engineering.

"So we are managing this complex phase with dedicated people, with a dedicated programme, and managing it very carefully with the resources."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122215

[Rob]

At least Costa saying overtaking be just as hard in 2017 with new aero rules. Really, the drivers should be asked alot more.

[Rob]

On the contrary, equivalence formulae discussed by Bernie and the FIA are the most harmful element now on the agenda. If this isn't stopped, we'll have an absurd multi-class formula with obscure balance of performance equations with the ability to skew performance more than anything in the WEC.

BoP does work. But for some reason it really hurt AMR alot more this year after Spa race.

[wisepie]

At least Costa saying overtaking be just as hard in 2017 with new aero rules. Really, the drivers should be asked alot more.

+ 1 Rob, quite agree with this and I definitely reckon the revised and additional tyre allocations for 2016 are going to cause a lot of head-scratching from drivers, strategists and fans alike. Why so complicated?

[Rob]

+ 1 Rob, quite agree with this and I definitely reckon the revised and additional tyre allocations for 2016 are going to cause a lot of head-scratching from drivers, strategists and fans alike. Why so complicated?

not alot of point in the teams having strategists or the expensive race simulation tools. Pirelli doing it for them. All cars will be pitting between laps 5-10 depends on trye deg. But all teams will be doing same strategy, all teams trying to go for the really exciting overtaking that is the "UNDERCUT" wow.

Bring back refuelling.

[abbottcostello]

not alot of point in the teams having strategists or the expensive race simulation tools. Pirelli doing it for them. All cars will be pitting between laps 5-10 depends on trye deg. But all teams will be doing same strategy, all teams trying to go for the really exciting overtaking that is the "UNDERCUT" wow.

Bring back refuelling.

I think refuelling was one of the things Bernie proposed when he first floated the idea of the budget PU's, as the increase in fuel consumption and resulting extra pit stop(s) would be the "equaliser" to provide the balance, rather than a "BoP" formula? I think at that time he was just "winging it", throwing ideas out without much thought to the details.

[The Architect]

BoP does work. But for some reason it really hurt AMR alot more this year after Spa race.

With such rules, it's very difficult to tell who they benefit. In sprint racing (which F1 is still supposed to be) I think it's a recipe for disaster. Everyone will be lining up to claim that they're at a disadvantage. Should Manor be given another 0.5 sec worth of performance? It might mean they finish ahead 3 or 4 other teams in the final standings which may be completely undeserved as other teams may not be able to successfully plead their case. And what for McLaren? Given the level of expenditure should they be propped up with artificial advantages if it means appeasing Alonso fans? If Bernie takes the mandate for himself, I think it will be disastrous.