In the latest meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, the FIA has decided to revise the maximum allowed fine amount for F1 teams and drivers to a whopping €1 million; the council also revealed an increase of five days for in-season tyre testing ahead of the 2024 F1 season.
Photo Credit: FIA
One of the most notable decisions from the meeting was the change to the maximum limit of a fine drivers and competitors alike can be given in any Formula One World Championship event, which has quadrupled from its previous limit of €250,000 to €1 million.
The changes come after the limit was not amended for over 12 years, and the governing body argues that the old value “does not reflect the current needs” in motorsport. Changes were also made to the maximum allowed fines in other FIA series – now all FIA championships have a maximum allowance that is double of what F1 previously had:
“The ISC had previously determined that the maximum fine amount that the stewards can imposed is 250,000 euros. This amount has not been reviewed nor amended for at least the last twelve years and does not reflect the current needs of motor sport, and the World Council therefore approved an update to this maximum limit in certain championships.”
The amended maximum fines are as follows:
· FIA Formula One World Championship – 1,000,000 euros
· All other FIA World Championships – 750,000 euros
· All other FIA Championships, cups, trophies, challenges or series – 500,000 euros
Another important change for the F1 world championship was the change of the number of allowed tyre testing days ahead of the 2024 season, rising to 40 days, five up from the previous limit of 35 days.
Changes were also made to allow for four car days testing organised by the FIA in order to help with spray reduction measures and testing of wheel covers for rainy races.
The summary also reported some updates were made to the ever-evolving 2026 F1 power unit technical, sporting and financial regulations – as well as fuel development and supply.
“2023 so far has been another fantastic year for our sport and we thank everyone involved across the FIA, F1, teams, promoters and partners. We and the FIA continue to work closely to ensure we stay focussed on the important issues for the sport and build on the momentum we have,” said F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali. “We look forward to the remaining races of the season and to the 2024 season.”
The FIA has announced the need to “prevent and counter” the use of pyrotechnical devices in motorsport events, in order to look after the safety and health of all involved, thus prohibiting the use of “unauthorised” pyrotechnics in its events:
“In October 2022, the Council of the European Union stressed the need to prevent and counter the use of pyrotechnics at sports venues. Following review of the situation in motor sport, it has been concluded that the unauthorised use of all pyrotechnical devices at races can pose significant public health and safety risks and, as such, should be prevented and countered.
“The World Council therefore approved new provision and definition in the ISC prohibiting the unauthorised possession and use of pyrotechnics at FIA competitions.”
