Six new F1 rules you need to know about for 2025

Summary

The 2025 Formula 1 season brings several significant rule changes. Key updates include the removal of the fastest lap bonus point, an increase in the minimum car weight and driver weight allowance, the introduction of a driver cooling system for high-temperature races, and tighter regulations on flexible wings. There are also limitations on testing older cars and changes to practice requirements for rookies. Additionally, a new rule clarifies how the grid is determined in case of disrupted qualifying, particularly in sprint weekends. These changes aim to improve fairness, safety, and consistency in the sport.

Takeaways

• 😀 Formula 1 will remove the fastest lap point in 2025 due to it often benefiting drivers with a strategic gap, making it less impactful.
• 😀 The minimum weight for Formula 1 cars increases from 798kg to 800kg, and the minimum driver weight allowance is raised to 82kg to help heavier drivers.
• 😀 A new cooling system will be implemented for races in hot conditions (over 30.5°C), where drivers will wear cooling vests powered by a battery-operated system.
• 😀 The slot gap for flexible rear wings is reduced from 10-15mm to 9.4-13mm, and regulations now mandate that rear wings must either be open or closed, without flexibility in shape.
• 😀 FIA will enforce stricter front wing flexing regulations starting at the Spanish Grand Prix, requiring a 1/3 increase in stiffness across the wingspan.
• 😀 Teams will now be restricted to just 20 days of testing with cars between 2 and 4 years old to avoid gaining an unfair advantage with older cars.
• 😀 For 2025, the grid position will be decided based on drivers' championship standings if qualifying can't take place due to exceptional circumstances.
• 😀 Any withdrawn car up to 75 minutes before the race will not keep its grid position, meaning other cars will move up accordingly.
• 😀 The fastest lap point, which was reintroduced in 2019, is eliminated due to the controversial impact it had on championship battles and strategies.
• 😀 Teams must now field rookies in four practice sessions during the season, up from the previous requirement of two practice sessions, enhancing young driver development.

Q & A

Why did Formula 1 decide to remove the fastest lap point for 2025?

Formula 1 decided to drop the fastest lap point due to the reality that it often didn’t provide the intended excitement. The point was typically secured by a top driver with a comfortable gap, and the situation became less thrilling, especially after Daniel Ricciardo's controversial fastest lap in the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix.

What is the change in the minimum weight of Formula 1 cars for 2025?

For 2025, the minimum weight of Formula 1 cars will increase from 798 kg to 800 kg. Additionally, the minimum driver weight allowance will rise from 80 kg to 82 kg, helping to balance the advantage for heavier drivers.

How will the new driver cooling system affect the car weight?

When the new driver cooling system is used, it will add an additional 5 kg to the overall weight of the car. This is because the system requires extra components such as batteries and heat exchangers, which contribute to the weight increase.

What does the new driver cooling system entail?

The driver cooling system consists of a battery-powered cooling vest that circulates coolant around the driver's body. It is designed to help keep drivers cool when temperatures exceed 30.5°C, with the system being mandatory during such conditions.

What is the significance of the new rules regarding flexible rear wings?

The new regulations for 2025 address the flexibility of rear wings by reducing the gap width allowed and requiring the DRS system to transition between open and closed states in less than 400 milliseconds. This aims to prevent teams from using flexible wings like McLaren's 'mini DRS,' which could unfairly reduce drag and increase speed.

What are the changes to the front wing flexibility regulations?

Starting from the Spanish Grand Prix, the FIA will implement stricter front wing flexibility regulations. The stiffness of the wings will increase by one-third, and the vertical deflection limits will be reduced, ensuring teams do not push the boundaries of aero elasticity.

How does the new rule on testing older F1 cars impact teams?

The 2025 season will restrict the testing of older F1 cars (those between 2 and 4 years old) to a maximum of 20 days per season. Additionally, race drivers can only complete 1,000 km during testing over a maximum of 4 days, which limits the amount of testing teams can conduct with these older cars.

What changes are being made to the young driver practice requirements?

For 2025, teams are required to field a rookie driver, who has competed in fewer than two Grands Prix, for four practice sessions during the season. This requirement has doubled from the previous rule, which only required two practice sessions with rookie drivers.

How will grid positions be determined if qualifying cannot take place?

If qualifying cannot be held due to exceptional circumstances, such as weather or technical issues, the grid will be determined based on the drivers' current championship standings. This change follows confusion during the 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix when conflicting results from Sprint qualifying and regular practice made it unclear how the grid should be set.

What change has been made to the timing for drawing up the final grid?

For 2025, the final grid will now be drawn up 1 hour before the start of the race, as opposed to the previous 2-hour window. Additionally, cars withdrawn from the race up to 75 minutes before the start will not be included in the grid, allowing others to shuffle forward.