PRESS RELEASE - TKART - Friday, 10 July 2015, Mexico City - The FIA concluded its World Motor Sport Council meeting today in Mexico City.

The meeting was held as part of the FIA Sport Conference 2015, which also included the FIA American Congress, and was organised by the Mexican ASN, the Organizaciόn Mexicana del Deporte Automovilístico Internacional (OMDAI).

During the Council meeting, the following decisions were taken:

FIA Formula One World Championship
The WMSC has approved the rule adjustments proposed by the F1 Strategy Group and approved by the F1 Commission. These are:

-        The simplification of the power unit penalties, ensuring that the most a driver can be penalised is to be demoted to the rear of the grid – this will eliminate penalties during the race for these infractions.

-        New power unit manufacturers to F1 will receive an extra power unit for each driver to use throughout Grands Prix for the season, bringing the total to five – one more than the existing power unit suppliers. This will be applied retrospectively to Honda.

These changes to the sporting regulations will come into force with immediate effect.

The provisional calendar for the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship was approved:

April 3 Australia

April 10 China

April 24 Bahrain

May 1 Sochi

May 15 Spain

May 29 Monaco

June 12 Canada

June 26 UK

July 3 Austria

July 17 Baku

July 31 Germany

August 7 Hungary

August 28 Belgium

September 4 Italy

September 18 Singapore

September 25 Malaysia

October 9 Japan

October 23 USA (Austin)

October 30 Mexico

November 13 Brazil

November 27 Abu Dhabi

The WMSC approved the update of the Super Licence regulations with a view to:

-        Increasing flexibility for drivers having qualified for a Super Licence, but do not have the opportunity to race in Formula One. These drivers will now keep this possibility for three years (eg. typical F1 test driver situation)

-        Enlarging the list of Series included in the Super Licence point system following numerous requests from series for inclusion

-        Adjusting of points given to some series already included to better reflect the strength of series.

-        Granting the champion of the FIA Formula E Championship with a Super Licence, although the Championship is not part of the points system.

FIA Formula E Championship
The WMSC approved the establishing of an FIA e-Licence, which will be mandatory for any Driver wanting to compete in the FIA Formula E Championship.

In order to qualify for the e-Licence, the following is required:

-        A specific FIA training session on the most important points of electrical safety, technical and sporting aspects of the competition

-        To have accumulated in the previous three years at least 20 points of the FIA points system used to qualify for the F1 Super Licence, or to have previously held an F1 Super Licence, or to have participated in at least three races of the previous FIA Formula E Championship.

The 2015/16 FIA Formula E Championship calendar was approved as follows:

Round       Date                         Country                 ePrix

1           17 October 2015              China                   Beijing

2           7 November 2015              Malaysia                Putrajaya

3           19 December 2015             Uruguay**               Punta del Este**

4           6 February 2016              Argentina**             Buenos Aires**

5           19 March 2016                TBD                     TBD

6            2 April 2016                USA                     Long Beach

7           23 April 2016                France                  Paris

8           21 May 2016                  Germany                 Berlin

9            4 June 2016                 Russia                  Moscow

10 & 11       TBD                        United Kingdom          London

* All events remain subject to FIA track homologation
** TBC

FIA World Rally Championship
The principles of the technical and homologation regulations for the 2017-2019 WRC car were approved by the World Motor Sport Council. The intention behind the new regulations is to produce a car with a far more dynamic and distinct appearance that exhibits character and diversity. The highlights are:

Engine
-        Powered increased to 380hp

-        36mm maximum diameter for the turbo restrictor

-        Maximum 2.5b absolute turbo pressure

Body
-        Free zone defined around the body shell of the production car to create a maximum WRC car width of 1875mm and greater overhang front and rear

-        Greater freedom on the lateral parts of the front bumper, with potential for additional aero devices ahead of the front wheels. Openings may also be cut-out on the fender surface

-        Bigger and more visible fixed rear wing

The overall weight of the car will be reduced by 25kg, there will be a return to an electronically-controlled centre differential and the overall homologated length of the car must be greater than or equal to 3.9 metres.

FIA World Endurance Championship
The WMSC approved the 2017 Draft Technical Regulations for the LM P2 Prototype class, as drafted in conjunction with IMSA and ACO. The Technical Regulations include:

-        Four selected suppliers of the coupe chassis for LM P2 regulations

-        A single engine supply, currently at tender

-        A more powerful engine, up to 600hp from 2017

The dates for the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans will be held on 18 to 19 June 2016.

FIA World Touring Car Championship
The final round of the 2015 FIA World Touring Car Championship in Qatar will now be held on 26-27 November at Losail.

The event has been moved due to a conflicting local event. The Friday date was requested as it is part of Qatar’s weekend, and to avoid conflict with the final round of the F1 World Championship.

Formula 2 Championship
The WMSC acknowledged an update in the call for expression of interest related to the creation of the new F2 Championship; the intended final step in the FIA single-seater ladder to Formula One.

The FIA has received an offer from GP2 Series Limited to be appointed as the promoter of the championship, and discussions are ongoing with the aim being to secure the best possible FIA F2 Championship.

FIA Formula 3 European Championship
The WMSC approved the principles of the renewal of the promoter agreement with ITR; the agreement will be submitted to the FIA Senate for confirmation.

The continuation of the contract with the current promoter will ensure consolidation of an already strong championship, and will result in gaining the championship greater visibility through improved media and distribution channels.

The FIA looks forward to continuing its work with ITR as the FIA Formula 3 European Championship continues its already strong growth.

GT Commission
With the format for the FIA GT World Cup already approved, the WMSC announced the opening of registrations for teams and manufacturers for the race in Macau on 20-22 November.

The manufacturers’ pre-entry registration will open on 26 June, 2015 and close on 20 July, 2015, and each manufacturer may enter a maximum of three cars.

The official entry list of selected manufacturers and the amount of cars per manufacturer selected will be confirmed by the FIA, upon proposal of the GT World Cup Committee, by 20 August, 2015 at the latest.

Each selected manufacturer will be invited to register the team(s) selected (one team may have from 1 to 3 cars) and the driver per car at the latest on 15 September 2015.

CIK-FIA
The WMSC approved the regulation of the worldwide existing Cadet karting class, which already has high participation at a national level, but without a set of united CIK-FIA regulations.

The WMSC has approved the launch of new generation non-gearbox kart engines within the Senior and Junior categories with the aim of extending the use of these engines. For more information on the engines, see: http://www.cikfia.com/newsroom/view/article/a-new-era-is-emerging-for-direct-drive-karting.html.

Truck Racing Commission
The WMSC approved the principles of the appointment of a Promoter for the FIA European Truck Racing Championship.

The selected Promoter is European Truck Racing Association (ETRA) – the consent is subject to the confirmation of the FIA Senate.

ETRA is a company established in collaboration between the current ETRC Event Organisers, and currently driven by the representatives of the Nurburgring event (ADAC).

The 2016 ETRC championship calendar will feature a minimum of seven events in Europe, and is subject to Commission and WMSC approval.

The next World Motor Sport Council meeting is scheduled for 30 September, 2015, at the FIA in Paris.