PlanetF1

FIA tightens front wing tests

Thursday 06-December-2012 06:42

Formula One cars will be subject to stricter front wing deflection tests during the 2013 season, the FIA has confirmed.

The tweak and amendments to some technical and sporting regulations for next year came on the back of the final World Motor Sport Council meeting in Istanbul on Wednesday.

The change to the deflection tests is the result of a number of controversies, which most notably involved Constructors' Champions Red Bull, in that area this season.

The use of DRS will also be restricted as drivers will in future only be allowed to use it in the same designated zones where it will be available in the race.

Minor changes have also been made to the front roll structure design while there is an increase in minimum weight to compensate for an increase in tyre weight for 2013.

Meanwhile, the current 'force majeure' allowance, that can be used when a car stops on track in qualifying, was deleted with the FIA saying it would "determine how much fuel the car would have used to get back to the pits and add it to the one litre sample minimum".

World Champion Sebastian Vettel was penalised and sent to the back of the grid at this year's Abu Dhabi GP after it was found his car didn't have enough fuel in the tank following qualifying.

On the sporting regulations side, the team personnel curfew will be extended from six to eight hours on Thursday night, while only two exceptions will be allowed during the season instead of the current four.