The FIA’s World Motor Sport Council has today announced that Article 39.9, the one forbidding team orders, will be removed from the Formula 1 Sporting and Technical Regulations from 2011.
The rule, which Ferrari famously fell foul of in Hockenheim last July, was widely criticised as unenforcable, and open to abuse.
However, teams are reminded that any attempts to manipulate the result of a race may be punishable under Article 151c, which bans actions liable to bring the sport into disrepute.
The WMSC also confirmed the introduction of moveable rear wings from 2011 and committed to the introduction of greener engines from 2013.
The FIA reported that the new power units will be ‘four cylinders, 1.6 litre with high pressure gasoline injection up to 500 bar with a maximum of 12,000 rpm.’ The aim is to reduce fuel consumption by 35% and have extensive energy management and recovery systems. In 2013 the limit on engines will be just five per season (down from the current eight), reducing to four per season for the following seasons.
Other minor changes for next year include amendments to the list of penalties that race stewards can apply, a regulation permitting the Race Director to close the pit lane during the race, and the requirement for gear boxes to be used for five race, rising from the four of last year.
