FIA confirm no changes to race procedures for now

The FIA has confirmed they have avoided making changes to the race start procedures of Formula 1 races following recent calls for it to be modified. 

Feature image credit: FIA

On Wednesday, the FIA and the F1 Commission met for the first time this season in Bahrain, as the sport undergoes its third week of testing, but the second in the country. 

The regulatory body has been underpressure in recent days to modify race starts due to safety concerns, given the new cars need more time to spool up the turbo. 

There were expectations that the current standard of race start procedures would increase the risk of collisions when the lights go out on the grid, at the start of a grand prix. 

Despite this, the F1 commission has confirmed ‘constructive talks’ were in place at the commission regarding this matter. At current, there will be no changes to the race start procedures. 

However, they acknowledged further evaluations will be undertaken during the current Bahrain test. 

Oscar Piastri pips Leclerc to fastest time in afternoon of Day 1 test 

The FIA statement said:

“Positive feedback from drivers was received on the reduced weight and smaller dimensions of the 2026 cars. Divers generally agreed that the new car exhibited improved ride quality and stronger initial acceleration. 

“Further evaluation and technical checks on energy management matters will be carried out over the following three days at the second pre-season test in Bahrain. 

“It was agreed that no immediate major regulatory changes were required given that initial evidence and feedback remains immature and that premature change carried the risk of increased instability ahead of the first race. Further reviews will be carried out once more data becomes available. 

“There were constructive talks and proposals centred on the race start procedure during the commission meeting. As a result, further evaluation of updates to race systems and on-car management will be undertaken during the current Bahrain test.”

The Bahrain test will conclude this week in Bahrain ahead of the first race in Melbourne, Australia, in a fortnight’s time.

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Oscar Piastri pips Leclerc to fastest time in afternoon of Day 1 test 
• Charles Leclerc tops morning test on Day 1 in Bahrain
• F1 confirms circuit extension with calendar rotation
• Russell sets the pace after first hour of testing day 3
• Leclerc fastest after day 2 of Bahrain pre-season test
• Norris fastest after day 1 of Bahrain pre-season testing

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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.