The FIA has outlined a package of F1 technical rules changes planned for 2017, but has stressed that they will not be finalized until April 30.
The deadline was originally Feb. 29 – after which changes required unanimous support rather than a simple majority – but that has now been moved. However, the basic principles have been established and agreed.
In essence the F1 Commission has agreed on a compromise rather than go for the full high downforce package which had been pushed by Red Bull. The problem with that was that the downforce levels would have put extra loads into the tires which would in turn have to be run at such high pressures to cope that there would be less grip, and thus overall lap times would not improve.
The final version has narrower bodywork and a smaller diffuser than originally envisaged, but it still had the more aggressive look that the F1 Strategy Group demanded last year, along with wider tires.
The new package will also include a version of the “Halo” cockpit protection system. The FIA said: “The F1 Commission confirmed the intention of introducing some form of cockpit protection from the 2017 season. All stakeholders are working together to make this a reality, with the ‘Halo’ concept currently the preferred option. Other options, such as transparent cockpit protection, will continue to be evaluated.”
A comparison between the current and 2017 rules is seen below:
