The F1 Commission gathered today, 13 October, in London, for its third meeting of 2021. The FIA and Formula 1 confirm that positive discussions took place, reviewing some of the major points from the 2021 season so far, as well as looking ahead to what will be a record-breaking 23-race championship in 2022.
A draft calendar of 23 races was presented to the commission, which was advised of the uncertain state of the Chinese Grand Prix. The Imola circuit in Italy is expected to take its place, though the Chinese round will be held as a reserve event should another grand prix fall from the schedule next year.
Teams’ representatives were also briefed and updated on 2025 power unit regulations during the commission meeting.
the commission also agreed plans to hold six sprint qualifying events during the 2022 F1 season. This and other agreed points will go before the World Motor Sport Council on Friday for approval.
Further changes approved by the commission include condensing F1’s four-day event schedule – including the Thursday ‘media day’ – to three.
Alterations to the testing rules in order to facilitate next year’s schedule were also approved. The minimum time between the end of testing and first race has been adjusted to permit a reduced gap of eight days, and tests of up to five consecutive days have been agreed.
F1 & FIA commission Outcome
2022 Calendar
The Commission was presented with the draft calendar for the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship. This calendar will be submitted to the World Motor Sport Council for approval on Friday 15 October.
As the world emerges from the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission praised the remarkable achievements of Formula 1 and the FIA in staging what will be a 22-race schedule in 2021, and a record-breaking 23 races in 2022.
Treatment of short races
Following the weather-affected 2021 FIA Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, the Commission discussed potential updates to the Sporting Regulations and asked that the Sporting Advisory Committee considers this topic at its next meeting to propose options for updated procedures and regulations.
Sprint
The Commission was presented with a report on the first two Sprint events held at Silverstone and Monza earlier in the season. The report gathered feedback from a large number of stakeholders, which were positive about the Sprint concept. Further evaluation will take place following the third and final Sprint event of 2021 in Brazil. Elements relating to potential future Sprint events and the associated regulatory framework will then be discussed with a positive resolution anticipated in the weeks following the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Source : FIA
