F1 Commission: wet tyres, regulations and circuit changes

The F1 commission has met for the first time in 2023 and discussed a variety of points which include: circuit changes, new wet-weather compounds and regulations.

The Formula 1 Commission has met for the first time in 2023, on Tuesday – ahead of the pre-season test on Thursday, to discuss a number of different topics.

Wet weather tyres

After a successful test by Pirelli, the tyre manufacturer has built a new wet weather tyre which is expected to be “much more performant” than previous versions – one which will not require the use of tyre blankets.

It is expected the tyre construction will be made available during the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Wet body kit

The FIA, in support with the teams, continue to work on a wet-weather package which will help reduce tyre spray in wet weather and improve visibility after agreeing on the project in the last F1 Commission meeting.

In addition, a new technical directive is being made to help the teams develop the package which will remain outside their respective Aerodynamic Testing Restrictions (ATR) and the cost cap.

Track testing is expected to take place in the second or third quarter of 2023.

Circuit changes

A number of circuits are set to undergo some changes ahead of the 2023 season.

Saudi Arabia is set to see significant changes to improve visibility at the corner entry where possible while Baku and Miami’s tracks will be completely resurfaced.

Zandvoort will see space between pit stop positions extended by 1.5m and Qatar will get a new pit building in addition to paddock infrastructure.

After the sport removed a fourth Drag Reduction System zone at Merlbourne’s Albert Park Circuit last season, the fourth zone is expected to be reinstated. However, Bahrain, Jeddah, Melbourne, Baku and Miami will see some changes to the DRS zones to help improve overtaking – or make it more difficult.

Sporting, Financial and Technical Regulations

A winter factory shutdown will now be implemented for both competitors and power unit suppliers. The new shutdown will run alongside the existing summer shutdown, halfway through the season.

Wording on a couple of factors, in both the sporting and financial regulations, has changed too. Wording has been added to ensure that shorter races have reduced points awarded even if the race doesn’t finish under a suspension. While, at the same time, wording has been added to allow the FIA auditing team easier access to team factories to enforce the regulations.

The cost cap has also seen an adjustment for additional races over 21 which was agreed to increase from $1.2m to $1.8m per race. The regulator has stated this change has been made to accomodate fly-aways ‘which are more expensive.’

In usual fashion, the changes to the regulations will be subject to approval from the World Motor Sport Council.

That’s all for the article; F1 Commission: wet tyres, regulations and circuit changes!

What do you think, will the new wet-weather tyres be better suited compared to its previous counterpart? Let us know in the comments!

Read more Formula 1 here:

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• Mercedes unveil W14 as it returns to the black livery
• Ferrari reveal SF-23 in Valentine’s Day launch
• Aston Martin showcase 2023 challenger: AMR23
• McLaren reveal anniversary-inspired F1 contender: MCL60

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.