The FIA will organise the FIA Formula One World Championship (the
Championship) which is the property of the FIA and comprises two titles of World
Champion, one for drivers and one for constructors. It consists of the Formula
One Grand Prix races which are included in the Formula One calendar and in
respect of which ASNs and organisers have signed the organisation agreement
provided for in the 1992 Concorde Agreement (Events). All the participating
parties (FIA, ASNs, organisers, competitors and circuits) undertake to apply as
well as observe the rules governing the Championship and must hold FIA Super
Licences which are issued to drivers, competitors, officials, organisers and
circuits.
GENERAL UNDERTAKING
- All drivers, competitors and officials participating in the Championship
undertake, on behalf of themselves, their employees and agents, to observe all
the provisions as supplemented or amended of the International Sporting Code
(the Code), the 1992 Concorde Agreement (the Agreement), the Formula One
Technical Regulations (the Technical Regulations) and the present Sporting
Regulations.
- The Championship is governed by the Agreement and its schedules.
- Any special national regulations must be submitted to the FIA with the
original application for inclusion of an Event on the international calendar.
Only with the approval of the FIA can such special regulations come into force
for an Event. The FIA will ensure that all applicant competitors are informed
of such special regulations before entries close under Article 38.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
- It is the competitor's responsibility to ensure that all persons concerned
by his entry observe all the requirements of the Agreement, the Code, the
Technical Regulations and the Sporting Regulations. If a competitor is unable
to be present in person at the Event he must nominate his representative in
writing. The person having charge of an entered car during any part of an
Event is responsible jointly and severally with the competitor for ensuring
that the requirements are observed.
- Competitors must ensure that their cars comply with the conditions of
eligibility and safety throughout practice and the race.
- The presentation of a car for scrutineering will be deemed an implicit
statement of conformity.
- All persons concerned in any way with an entered car or present in any
other capacity whatsoever in the paddock, pits, pit lane or track must wear an
appropriate pass at all times.
SUPER LICENCES
- All drivers, competitors and officials participating in the Championship
must hold a FIA Super Licence. Applications for Super Licences must be made to
the FIA through the applicant's ASN.
The driver's name will remain on the list for Super Licences for one year.
DRIVERS' AND COMPETITORS' LICENCES
- All drivers and competitors must hold current and valid FIA Super Licences
as well as licences and, where applicable, authorisations issued by their
ASN(s). A driver must also be in possession of a current medical certificate
of aptitude and an international accident control card.
CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS
- Events are reserved for Formula One cars as defined in the Technical
Regulations.
- Each Event will have the status of an international restricted
competition.
- The distance of all races (from green light to chequered flag,excluding
the formation lap referred to in Article 118) shall be equal to the least
number of complete laps which exceed a distance of 305 km. save only that
should two hours elapse before the scheduled race distance is completed, the
leader will be shown the chequered flag when he crosses the start/finish line
(the Line) at the end of the lap during which such period of two hours shall
end.
NUMBER OF EVENTS
- The maximum number of Events in the Championship is 16, the minimum is 8.
- The final list of Events is published by the FIA before 1 January each
year.
- An Event which is cancelled with less than three months written notice to
the FIA will not be considered for inclusion in the following year's
Championship unless the FIA judges the cancellation to have been due to force
majeure.
- An Event may be cancelled if fewer than 12 cars are available for it.
- The Formula One World Championship driver's title will be awarded to the
driver who has scored the highest number of points, taking into consideration
all the results during the Events which have actually taken place.
- Points will not be awarded for the Championship unless the driver has
driven the same car throughout the race in the Event in question.
- The title of Formula One World Championship Champion for Constructors will
be awarded to the make which has scored the highest number of points, taking
into account all the results obtained by a maximum of 2 cars per make.
- The constructor of an engine or rolling chassis is the person (including
any corporate or unincorporated body) which owns the intellectual property
rights to such engine or chassis. The make of an engine or chassis is the name
attributed to it by its constructor. If the make of the chassis is not the
same as that of the engine, the title will be awarded to the former which
shall always precede the latter in the name of the car.
- Points for both titles will be awarded at each Event according to the
following scale:
1st : 10 points.
2nd : 6 points.
3rd : 4 points.
4th : 3
points.
5th : 2 points.
6th : 1 point.
- If a race is stopped under Articles 143 and 144, and cannot be restarted,
no points will be awarded in case A, half points will be awarded in case B and
full points will be awarded in case C.
- The Drivers finishing first, second and third in the Championship must be
present at the annual FIA Prize Giving ceremony. Any such driver who is absent
will be liable to a maximum fine of US$50,000.00. All competitors shall use
their best endeavours to ensure that their drivers attend as aforesaid.
DEAD HEAT
- Prizes and points awarded for all the positions of competitors who tie,
will be added together and shared equally.
- If two or more constructors or drivers finish the season with the same
number of points, the higher place in the Championship (in either case) shall
be awarded to:
a) the holder of the greatest number of first places,
b) if the number of first places is the same, the holder of the greatest
number of second places,
c) if the number of second places is the same, the holder of the greatest
number of third places and so on until a winner emerges.
d) if this procedure fails to produce a result, the FIA will nominate the
winner according to such criteria as it thinks fit.
PROMOTER
- An application to promote an Event must be made to the ASN of the country
in which the Event is to take place, which will apply to the FIA. It must be
accompanied by written evidence that the promoter has made arrangements within
the terms of the Agreement to secure the participation of competitors, which
arrangements are conditional only upon the FIA entering the Event on the
Championship calendar.
- An organiser is a body appointed and/or approved in accordance with the
Agreement with the powers and responsibilities set out therein. Upon deciding
to grant an application to hold an Event, the FIA will invite the relevant ASN
to organise it or to nominate an organiser. If the ASN is not in a position to
do so, the FIA may itself appoint an organiser. The organiser must be a club
or body acceptable to the FIA and must enter into the organisation agreement
set out in schedule 6 of the Agreement when it applies to organise the Event.
- Each organiser shall supply the information set out in appendix I, part A
hereto to the FIA no later than 90 days before the Event. The FIA, if
satisfied with such information, shall complete part B and forward both parts
to all competitors no later than 60 days before the Event.
FIA DELEGATES
- For each Event the FIA will nominate the following delegates:
- Stewards' adviser.
- Safety delegate and permanent starter.
- Medical delegate.
- Technical delegate responsible for scrutineering.
- Press delegate.
and may nominate:
- a representative of the President of the FIA
- an Observer
- The role of the FIA delegates is to help the officials of the Event in
their duties, to see within their fields of competence that all the
regulations governing the Championship are respected, to make any comments
they judge necessary and to draw up the various reports required by the FIA
concerning the Event.
- The technical delegate nominated by the FIA will be responsible for
scrutineering and will have full authority over the national scrutineers.
PASSES
- No pass may be issued except in accordance with the Agreement. A pass may
only be used by the person and for the purpose for which it was issued.
OFFICIALS
- The following officials will be nominated by the FIA:
- Two stewards from among holders of the FIA Super Licence of nationality
different to that of the organiser.
- A race director.
- The following officials will be nominated by the ASN from among holders of
a FIA Super Licence, and their names sent to the FIA at the same time as the
application to organise the Event:
- One steward from among the ASN's nationals.
- The clerk of the course.
- The clerk of the course shall work in permanent consultation with the race
director. The race director shall have overriding authority in the following
matters and the clerk of the course may give orders in respect of them only
with his express agreement:
a) the control of practice and the race, adherence to the timetable and, if
he deems it necessary, the making of any proposal to the stewards to modify
the timetable in accordance with the Code or Sporting Regulations,
b) the stopping of any car in accordance with the Code or Sporting
Regulations,
c) the stopping of practice or the race in accordance with the Sporting
Regulations if he deems it unsafe to continue and ensuring that the correct
restart procedure is carried out,
d) the starting procedure,
e) the use of the safety car.
- The race director, the clerk of the course, the technical delegate and the
national steward must be present at the Event from 10h00 on the date of
scrutineering, the two FIA stewards from 12h00 on the same day.
- The race director and the clerk of the course must be in the central
control point and in radio contact with all marshals' posts throughout all
practice sessions and from the showing of the five minute board before the
start of the race until the last car crosses the Line. The stewards and other
officials must be in contact with the clerk of the course at all times.
COMPETITORS
- Applications to compete in the Championship may be submitted to the FIA at
any time during the previous year, but never later than 7 days after the last
race of the previous season, on an entry form as set out in appendix II hereto
accompanied by the entry fee provided for in the Agreement. Entry forms will
be made available by FIA who will notify the applicant of the result of the
application with 60 days of its receipt by FIA. Successful applicants are
automatically entered in all Events of the Championship and will be the only
competitors at all Events.
- Applications shall include:
a) confirmation that the applicant has read and understood the Agreement
(including its schedules), the Code, the Technical Regulations and the
Sporting Regulations, on its own behalf and on behalf of everyone associated
with its participation in the Championship, to observe them,
b) the name of the team (which must include the name of the chassis),
c) the make of the competing car(s),
d) the make of the engine(s),
e) the name(s) of the driver(s). A driver may be nominated subsequent to
the application upon payment of a fee fixed by the FIA,
f) an undertaking by the applicant to participate in every Event with the
number of cars and drivers entered.
- A competitor may change the make and/or type of engine at any time during
the Championship. All points scored with an engine of different make to that
which was first entered in the Championship will count (and will be
aggregated) for the assessment of Benefits and for determining team positions
for pre-qualifying purposes, however such points will not count towards (nor
be aggregated for) the FIA Formula One Constructors Championship.
- With the exception of those whose cars have scored points in the
Championship of the previous year, applicants must supply information about
the size of their company, their financial position and their ability to meet
their prescribed obligations. All applicants who did not take part in the
entire Championship for the previous year must also deposit US$500,000.00 with
the FIA when submitting their application. This sum will be returned to them
forthwith if their application is refused or at the end of their first
Championship season provided they have met all the requirements of the
Agreement and its schedules.
- All applications will be studied by the FIA which will publish the list of
cars and drivers accepted together with their race numbers no later than 75
days after the last race of the previous season having first notified
unsuccessful applicants as set out in Article 38.
- No more than two entries will be accepted from any one competitor.
CHANGES OF DRIVER
- During a season, each team will be permitted one driver change for their
first car and will be permitted to have three drivers for their second car who
may be changed at any time provided that any driver change is made in
accordance with the Code and before the end of initial scrutineering (see
Article 72). In all other circumstances, competitors will be obliged to use
the drivers they nominated at the time of entering the Championship except in
cases of force majeure which will be considered separately. Any new driver may
score points in the Championship.
DRIVING
- The driver must drive the car alone and unaided.
NUMBER OF CARS PARTICIPATING
- The number of cars allowed to start the race is limited to 26.
For practice the number is limited to 30, except for the free practice on
race day which is open only to those cars which have qualified for the race.
- Should the number of cars entered in the Championship exceed 30 the
following procedure will be used:
- 26 places in qualifying practice will be reserved for constructors' cars
according to the classification in the World Championship for Constructors
of the two previous half seasons (as defined in Schedule IV part 5 of the
Agreement).
- 4 places will be made available to other cars according to pre
-qualifying practice.
- Those cars not included in the 26 automatically admitted to qualifying
practice will take part in a timed practice session two days before the race
(see Article 95) and the 4 fastest will then be allowed to take part in free
and qualifying practice sessions (see Articles 96 and 97) together with the
aforementioned 26.
RACE NUMBERS AND NAME OF CAR
- Each car will carry the race number of its driver (or his replacement) as
published by the FIA at the beginning of the season. When a car is shown on a
25cm television monitor in such a way as substantially to fill the screen in
at least one dimension, its race number must be clearly visible from the front
and from either side of the car.
- The name or the emblem of the make of the car must appear on the front of
the nose of the car and in either case be at least 25mm in its largest
dimension. The name of the driver must also appear on the bodywork, or on the
outside of the cockpit, or on the driver's helmet and be clearly legible.
- The provisions of the Code relating to national colours shall not apply to
the Championship.
SPARE CAR
- A competitor may use several cars for practice and the race provided that:
a) each competitor shall use no more than two cars for each of the two
practice days (one car for a one car team), which car(s) shall be nominated
each day by the competitor no later than 30 minutes before the first practice
session,
b) they are all of the same make and were entered in the Championship by
the same competitor,
c) they have been scrutineered in accordance with these Sporting
Regulations,
d) each car carries its driver's race number.
- Changes of car may only take place in the pits under the supervision of
the marshals.
- No change of car will be allowed after the first green flag of a race (see
Articles 118 and 123) provided always that if a race has to be restarted under
Article 145 Case A, the moment after which no car change will be allowed shall
be when the green flag for the subsequent start is shown.
- Drivers are strictly forbidden to drive their car in the opposite
direction to the race unless this is absolutely necessary in order to move the
car from a dangerous position. A car may only be pushed to remove it from a
dangerous position as directed by the marshals.
- During practice and the race, drivers may use only the track and must at
all times observe the provisions of the Code relating to driving behaviour on
circuits.
- If a car stops during practice or a race, it must be removed from the
track as quickly as possible so that its presence does not constitute a danger
or hinder other competitors. If the driver is unable to drive the car from a
dangerous position, it shall be the duty of the marshals to help; however if
any assistance is given which causes the engine to start, the car will be
excluded from the results of the qualifying practice or race during which the
assistance was given. A driver who abandons a car must leave the steering
wheel with the car.
All cars abandoned on the circuit during the first 45 minutes of free
practice wil be brought back to the pits during the 15 minute interval and may
participate in the second 45 minutes of free practice.
- Repairs to the car may be carried out only in the paddock, pits and on the
grid.
- Save as provided in Article 136, refuelling is allowed only in the pits.
- Save as specifically authorised by the Code or these Sporting Regulations,
no one except the driver may touch a stopped car unless it is in the pits or
on the starting grid.
- When the track is closed by race control during and after practice and
after the showing of the green flag under Article 118, no one is allowed on
the track except the marshals in the execution of their duty, the driver when
driving or under the direction of the marshals and the mechanics under Article
119 only, until all relevant cars, whether mobile or not, have arrived in the
parc ferme under Articles 86-89 inclusive.
- During a race, the engine may only be started with the starter, except in
the pit lane where the use of an external starting device is allowed.
- Drivers taking part in practice and the race must always wear the clothes
and helmets specified in the Code.
- A speed limit of 50km/h will be enforced in the pit lane during practice
and reconnaissance laps. Any driver who exceeds this limit will be fined a
maximum of US$10,000 (US$20,000 in the case of a second offence in the same
Championship season).
- If a driver has serious mechanical difficulties during practice or the
race he must leave the track as soon as it is safe to do so.
- The car's rear light must be illuminated at all times when it is running
on treaded tyres. The technical delegate may check the light at any time until
15 minutes before the green flag. No penalty will be imposed if the light
fails during a race, nor need the car be stopped.
- If a driver is involved in a collision or Incident (see Article 161), he
must not leave the circuit without the consent of the stewards.
- A breach of the provisions of the Code or these Sporting Regulations
relating to general safety discipline may result in the exclusion of the car
and driver concerned from the Event.
INSURANCE
- The promoter of an Event must procure that all competitors, their
personnel and drivers are covered by third party insurance as required by the
Agreement and its schedules.
- Ninety days before the Event, the promoter must send the FIA details of
the risks covered by the insurance policy which must comply with the national
laws in force as well as the Agreement. Sight of the policy must be available
to the competitors on demand.
- Third party insurance arranged by the promoter shall be in addition and
without prejudice to any personal insurance policy held by a competitor or any
other participant in the Event.
- Drivers taking part in the Event are not third parties with respect to one
another.
SCRUTINEERING AND SPORTING CHECKS
- During initial scrutineering, which will take place between 10h00 and
18h00 on the day before the first day of practice, the competitor must have
available all documents required by Article 9 above.
- Unless a waiver is granted by the stewards competitors who do not keep to
these time limits will not be allowed to take part in the Event.
- At the first Event of each Championship, the FIA will check all licences.
(see Article 9 above.)
- No competitor, driver or other person concerned with a car can be required
to sign any waiver or other document save as provided by the Agreement.
- The clerk of the course or the chief medical officer can require a driver
to have a medical examination at any time during an Event.
- Initial scrutineering of the car will take place in the garage assigned to
each team.
- Race numbers must be on the car for inspection during scrutineering.
- No car may take part in the Event until it has been passed by the
scrutineers.
- The scrutineers may:
a) check the eligibility of a car or of a competitor at any time during an
Event,
b) require a car to be dismantled by the competitor to make sure that the
conditions of eligibility or conformity are fully satisfied,
c) require a competitor to pay the reasonable expenses which exercise of
the powers in this Article may entail,
d) require a competitor to supply them with such parts or samples as they
may deem necessary.
- Any car which, after being passed by the scrutineers, is dismantled or
modified in a way which might affect its safety or call into question its
eligibility, or which is involved in an accident with similar consequences,
must be re-presented for scrutineering approval.
- The clerk of the course may require that any car involved in an accident
be stopped and checked.
- After each race, at least four classified cars will be selected by random
ballot in the presence of at least one team representative and must undergo
complete scrutineering.
- Checks and scrutineering shall be carried out by duly appointed officials
who shall be responsible for the operation of the parc ferme and who alone are
authorised to give instructions to the competitors.
- The stewards will publish the results for each car scrutineered and, if
requested, make them available to the other competitors. These results will
not include any specific figure except in respect of fuel analysis or where a
car is found to be in breach of the Technical Regulations.
PARC FERME
- Only those officials charged with supervision may enter the parc ferme. No
intervention of any kind is allowed there unless authorised by such officials.
- Parc ferme regulations will apply in the area between the Line and the
parc ferme entrance.
- The parc ferme shall be sufficiently large and secure that no unauthorised
persons can gain access to it.
- The weight of any car may be checked during the Event as follows:
a) During and after qualifying practice.
- At the pit entrance the organiser will provide a flat horizontal surface
measuring 6m x 3m, this area will be used for the weighing procedure.
- All drivers entered in the Championship will be weighed, wearing their
complete racing apparel, at the first Event of the season. If a driver is
entered later in the season he will be weighed at his first Event. The
weights of the drivers will then be entered into a software programme which
is under the control of the FIA technical delegate.
- During qualifying practice this software programme will also select cars
at random to undergo the weighing procedure. The FIA technical delegate will
inform the driver by means of a red light at the pit entrance that his car
has been selected for weighing.
- On seeing the red light, the driver will proceed directly to the
weighing area and stop his engine.
- The car will then be weighed and the result given to the driver in
writing (the weight of the driver is deducted automatically by the software
programme).
- If a car is found to be underweight it wil immediately be weighed again
without the driver.
- If the car is unable to reach the weighing area under its own power it
will be placed under the exclusive control of the marshals who will take the
car to be weighed.
- A car or driver may not leave the weighing area without the consent of
the FIA technical delegate.
b) After the race: each car crossing the Line will be weighed without the
driver.
c) Should the weight of the car be less than that specified in Article 4.1
of the Technical Regulations when weighed under a) or b) above, the car and
driver will be excluded from the Event except where the deficiency in weight
results from the accidental loss of a component of the car due to force
majeure.
d) No solid, liquid, gas or other substance or matter of whatsoever nature
may be added to, placed on, or removed from the car after it has been selected
for weighing or has finished the race or during the weighing procedure.
e) Only scrutineers and officials may enter the weighing area. No
intervention of any kind is allowed there unless authorised by such officials.
- Any breach of these provisions for the weighing of cars may result in the
exclusion of the relevant car.
PRE-QUALIFYING, FREE PRACTICE, QUALIFYING
- Save where these Sporting Regulations require otherwise, pit and tack
discipline and safety measures will be the same for all practice sessions as
for the race.
- No driver may start in the race without taking part in a qualifying
practice session.
- Except for entrants holding a licence of the country in which the circuit
is located, no testing is allowed on a circuit where an Event is to be held
during the period commencing 7 days before the first race of the Championship
and ending immediately after such Event, save that private testing open to all
cars entered in the Championship will be arranged on the Thursday preceding
the race where an Event is being held on the circuit for the first time.
- During the Event, the circuit shall not be used for any other purpose
other than the Event except after qualifying practice on each day and during
the period beginning after the free practice on race day and ending 60 minutes
before the pit lane is closed.
- Should it be necessary for certain cars to pre-qualify in accordance with
Article 47, the practice session will take place two days before the race from
08h00 to 09h00 (Monaco, three days before the race from 08h00 to 09h00).
- Free practice sessions will take place:
a) two days before the race from 09.30 to 10.15 and from 10.30 to 11.15.
(Monaco three days before the race from 09.30 to 10.15 and from 10.30 to
11.15).
b) the day before the race from 09.30 to 10.15 and from 10.30 to 11.15.
c) each driver is allowed a maximum of 23 laps free practice on each day.
Any extra lap(s) completed will be deducted from such driver's next qualifying
practice session.
- Qualifying practice sessions wil take place:
a) two days before the race from 13h00-14h00. (Monaco three days before the
race from 13h00-14h00).
b) Subject to Article 96 c), each driver is allowed a maximum of 12 laps in
each qualifying practice session. Should a driver complete more than 12 laps,
all times recorded by the driver in that session will be cancelled.
- Warm up: a free practice session will take place on race day; it will last
30 minutes and start 4 hours and 30 minutes before the starting time of the
race.
- The interval between the free and qualifying practice sessions on the same
day may never be less than 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Only in the most exceptional circumstances can a delay in free practice or
other difficulty on race morning result in a change to the starting time of
the race.
- The clerk of the course may interrupt practice as often and for as long as
he thinks necessary to clear the track or to allow the recovery of a car. In
the case of free practice only, the clerk of the course with the agreement of
the stewards may decline to prolong the practice period after an interruption
of this kind. Furthermore if, in the opinion of the stewards, a stoppage is
caused deliberately, the driver concerned may have his times from that session
cancelled and may not be permitted to take part in any other practice session
that day.
- Should one or more sessions be thus interrupted, no protest can be
accepted as to the possible effects of the interruption on the qualification
of drivers admitted to start.
- All laps covered during qualifying practice will be timed to determine the
driver's position at the start in accordance with the prescriptions of Article
111.
TYRE LIMITATION DURING THE EVENT
- a) Except for treaded tyres, which are unrestricted, the same driver may
not use more than a total of twenty eight tyres throughout the entire duration
of the Event.
b) A treaded tyre is a tyre which is designed for use on a wet track and
has a contact area which is less than 75 % of that of an equivalent size slick
tyre.
- The control procedure will be as follows:
a) During initial scrutineering, each competitor may have up to
twenty-eight tyres for each of his drivers ready for marking in his garage.
Tyres not marked during initial scrutineering can be marked at other times by
arrangement with the FIA technical delegate.
b) On the outer face of each tyre or, at the request of the competitor on
both faces, the scrutineers will paint the race number of the driver as well
as a letter characterising the Event.
c) A competitor wishing to replace an already marked unused tyre by another
unused one must present both tyres to the FIA technical delegate.
- The use of tyres without appropriate markings is strictly forbidden.
Throughout the Event there will be a marshal on each side of the pit exit to
check that all tyres are correctly marked.
- The scrutineers appointed for marking will supervise tyre changes in the
pits. The clerk of the course as well as the competitor involved will be
immediately informed of any anomaly.
BRIEFING
- A briefing will take place one hour after the end of practice on race day
in the location allocated for this purpose. All competitors (or their
appointed representatives) and drivers of those cars which are eligible to
take part in the race must be present throughout the briefing, under penalty
of exclusion from the race.
THE GRID
- At the end of the last qualifying practice, the list of cars having set
the 26 fastest times will be officially published.
- Only these cars will be allowed to take part in the race.
- The final starting grid will be published after the warm up on race day.
Any competitor whose car(s) is (are) unable to start for any reason whatsoever
(or who has good reason to believe that their car(s) will not be ready to
start) must inform the clerk of the course accordingly at the earliest
opportunity and, in any Event, no later than 45 minutes before the start of
the race. If one or more cars are withdrawn the grid will be closed up
accordingly.
- The grid will be drawn up in the order of the fastest time achieved by
each driver taking both qualifying practice sessions into account. Should two
or more drivers have set identical times, priority will be given to the one
who set it first.
- The fastest driver will start the race from the position on the grid which
was the pole position in the previous year or, on a new circuit, has been
designated as such by the FIA safety delegate.
- The rows on the grid will be separated by 8 metres.
- Access to the grid will close ten (10) minutes before the time set for the
start of the race after which any car which has not taken up its position on
the grid will not be permitted to do so and must start from the pits as
indicated in Article 117 below.
STARTING PROCEDURE
- There will be a standing start. The grid will be in a staggered 1 x 1
formation. The starting signal will be given by means of starting lights
activated by the starter appointed by the FIA for all Events. During the start
of a race, the pit wall must be kept free of all persons with the exception of
properly authorised officials and fire marshals all of whom shall have been
issued with and shall be wearing the appropriate pass.
- 30 minutes before the time for the start of the race, the cars will leave
the pits to cover a reconnaissance lap. At the end of this lap they will stop
on the gird in starting order with their engines stopped. Should they cover
more than one reconnaissance lap, they must compulsorily and at greatly
reduced speed use the pit lane between each of the laps and may under no
circumstances cross the grid (see Article 63).
- 17 minutes before the starting time, a warning signal announcing the
closing of the pit exit in 2 minutes will be given. 15 minutes before the
starting time, the pit exit will be closed and a second warning signal will be
given. Any car which is still in the pits can start from the pits, but only
under the direction of the marshals. It may be moved to the pit exit only with
the driver in position. Where the pit exit is immediately after the Line, cars
will join the race when the whole field has passed the pit exit on its first
racing lap. Where the pit exit is immediately before the Line, cars will join
the race as soon as the whole field has crossed the Line after the start.
- The approach of the start will be announced by signalling boards shown ten
minutes, five minutes, three minutes, one minute and thirty seconds before the
start. These boards will be accompanied by an audible warning and will have
the following meanings:
a) Ten minute board: everybody except drivers, officials and team technical
staff must leave the grid.
b) Five minute board: beginning of the count down.
c) Three minute board
d) One minute board: engines will be started with drivers sitting in their
cars. Team technical staff must then leave the grid.
e) Thirty second board: 30 seconds after this board a green flag will be
shown at the front of the grid whereupon the cars will begin a formation lap,
maintaining their starting order with the pole position driver leading. During
this lap practice starts are forbidden and the formation must be kept as tight
as possible. Passing is allowed only in order to maintain formation.
- Any driver who is unable to start the formation lap must raise his arm.
After all the other cars have started their formation lap, his mechanics may
push the car on the track to start the engine under the supervision of the
marshals. The car may then start its formation lap but is forbidden to pass
any other moving car. If it will not start after repeated attempts it must be
pushed to the pit entrance or exit (as specified by the race director at the
drivers' briefing) where the mechanics may attempt to start it.
- Any car which fails to start or to maintain starting order during the
entire formation lap must start the race behind the last line of the grid and
must be stationary when the red light comes on. If this car is not stationary
when the red light comes on, it must (on circuits where this is practicable)
go into the pits at a reduced speed. It can then start from the pits as
specified in Article 117.
- When the cars come back to the grid at the end of the formation lap, they
will stop on their respective grid positions, keeping their engines running. A
marshal holding a board bearing the car's race number will stand opposite each
row of the grid. As soon as the car on his row has come to a halt, he will
drop his board from view. Once all the cars have come to a halt and all the
boards have been dropped from view the starter will show a 5 second board, and
5 seconds later he will switch on the red light. At any time between four (4)
and seven (7) seconds after the red light becomes visible, the race will be
started by showing a green light. The race is deemed to start when the green
light is shown.
- If, after returning to the starting grid at the end of the formation lap,
a driver's engine stops and he is unable to restart the car, he must
immediately raise his hands above his head and the marshal responsible for
that row must immediately wave a yellow flag.
If the start is delayed, (see Article 123) a marshal with a yellow flag
will stand in front of the car concerned to prEvent it from moving until the
whole field has left the grid. The driver may then follow the procedure set
out in Articles 119 and 120. As in Article 121, other cars will maintain their
grid positions and the vacant position(s) will not be filled.
Should there be more than one driver in this situation, their new positions
at the back of the grid will be determined in accordance with their relative
positions on the grid at the start of the formation lap.
- If a problem arises when the cars reach the starting grid at the end of
the formation lap the following procedure shall apply:
a) If the red light has not been switched on, a red flag and a "start
delayed" board will be shown at the Line.
b) If the red light has already been switched on, the starter will show the
red flag (leaving the red light on) and a "start delayed" board will be shown
at the Line.
c) If the green light has already been switched on the marshals alongside
the grid will wave their yellow flags to inform the drivers that a car is
stationary on the grid.
d) In both cases a) and b) all engines will be stopped and the start
procedure will recommence at the five minute point, with the race distance
reduced by one lap. If, after the start, a car is immobilised on the starting
grid, Article 56 will not apply and the track marshals must immediately push
it along the track to start its engine. If, after several attempts, it does
not start, the marshals shall push it to the pits (entry or exit, as specified
by the race director at the drivers' briefing or to a safe place where its
mechanics may attempt to start it. The driver and mechanics must follow the
track marshals' directions.
- Should Article 123 apply, the race will nevertheless count for the
Championship no matter how often the procedure is repeated, or how much the
race shortened as a result.
- No refuelling will be allowed on the grid if more than one start procedure
proves necessary under Article 123.
- A time penalty will be imposed for a false start.
- A race will not be stopped in the Event of rain unless the circuit is
blocked or it is dangerous to continue (see Article 143).
- Only in the following cases will any variation in the start procedure be
allowed:
a) If the track is dry throughout all practice sessions but becomes wet (or
vice-versa) after the end of the warm up and at least 60 minutes before the
starting time, a 15 minute free practice will be allowed.
b) If it starts to rain after the five minute board but before the green
light, a "start delayed" sign will be shown on the Line and the starting
procedure will begin again at the 15 minute point. If necessary the procedure
set out in Article 123 will be followed. If the start of the race is imminent
and in the opinion of the clerk of the course, the volume of water is such
that it cannot be negotiated safety even on treaded tyres, the clerk of the
course may delay the start of the race by causing the "start delayed" to be
shown simultaneously with a "10" board with a red background.
c) If the start of the race is imminent and in the opinion of the clerk of
the course, the volume of water on the track is such that it cannot be
negotiated safely even on treaded tyres, the clerk of the course may delay the
start of the race by causing the "start delayed" board to be shown
simultaneously with a "10" board with a red background.
This "10" board with a red background will mean that there is to be a delay
of ten minutes before the starting procedure can be resumed. If weather
conditions have improved at the end of that ten minute period, a "10" board
with a green background will be shown. The "10" board with a green background
will mean that the green flag will be deployed in ten minutes.
Five minutes after the "10" board with the green background is shown, the
starting procedure will begin and the normal starting procedure boards (i.e.
5, 3, 1 min., 30 second) will be shown. If however, the weather conditions
have not improved within ten minutes after the "10" board with the red
background was shown, the "10" board with the red background will be shown
again which will mean a further delay of ten minutes before the starting
procedure can be resumed. This procedure may be repeated several times.
At any time when a "10" board (either with a red or green background) is
shown, it will be accompanied by an audible warning.
- A breach of the provisions of the Code or these Sporting Regulations
relating to starting procedure, may result in the exclusion of the car and
driver concerned from the Event.
SIGNALS
- Official instructions will be given to drivers by means of the signals
laid out in the Code. Competitors must not use flags similar in any way
whatsoever to these.
PIT EXIT
- During practice there will be a green/red light at the pit exit. Cars may
only leave the pit lane when the green light is on.
- During the race, drivers leaving the pit lane will do so on their own
responsibility. However, a flashing yellow light will warn of cars
approaching.
DECELERATION AREA
- Any driver intending to leave the track or to go to his pit or the paddock
area must signal his intention to do so in good time making sure that he can
do this without danger.
PIT ASSISTANCE AND REFUELLING
- a) For the avoidance of doubt and for description purposes, the pit lane
shall be divided into two lanes. The lane closest to the pit wall is
designated the "fast lane", and the lane closest to the garages is designated
the "inner lane", and is the only area where any work can be carried out on a
car.
b) Competitors must not paint lines on any part of the pit lane.
c) No equipment may be left in the fast lane. A car may enter the fast lane
only with the driver sitting in the car behind the steering wheel in his
normal position even when the car is being pushed by mechanics.
- If a driver overshoots his pit before stopping, the car may only be pushed
back to the pit.
- During the starting procedure, refuelling and wheel changes will be
allowed on the starting grid until the 5 minute board is shown. Only an
unpressurised container not exceeding 12 litres capacity, which is vented to
air and has a leak-proof coupling connecting it to the tank filler on the car,
can be used for refuelling on the starting grid.
- If fuel is stocked in a pit, the organiser must make at least two fire
extinguishers of 5 kg capacity available at each such pit and ensure that they
work properly. Furthermore, all fuel stocked in the pits must be in leak-proof
containers which have been tested to a pressure of at least 3 atmospheres.
- No signal of any kind may pass between a moving car and anyone connected
with the car's entrant or driver save for legible messages on a pit board,
body movement by the driver, telemetry signals from the car to the pits only
and verbal communication between a driver and his team by radio.
- The driver may remain in his car throughout refuelling but the engine must
be stopped unless a container of the kind specified in Article 136 or a FIA
approved refueling system is used. The competitor must ensure that an
assistant with an extinguisher (minimum capacity, 25kg.) ready to work is
beside the car throughout refuelling.
- Oil replenishment is forbidden during the race. All orifices for oil
filling must be designed in such a way that the scrutineers can seal them.
- People under 16 years of age are not allowed in the pit area.
- Animals, except those which may have been expressly authorised for use by
security services, are forbidden in the pit area and on the track and in any
spectator area.
Only six team members per participating car (all of whom shall have been
issued with and wearing special identification) are allowed in the signalling
area during practice and the race.
STOPPING THE RACE OR PRACTICE
- Should it become necessary to stop the race or practice because the
circuit is blocked by an accident or because weather or other conditions make
it dangerous to continue, the clerk of the course shall order a red flag to be
shown at the Line. Simultaneously, red flags will be shown at all marshal
posts. The decision to stop the race or practice can only be taken by the
clerk of the course (or in his unavoidable absence, his deputy) under the
authority of the race director. When the signal is given to stop:
a) during practice, all cars shall immediately reduce speed and proceed
slowly back to their respective pits, and all cars abandoned on the track will
be recovered;
b) during a race, all cars shall immediately reduce speed and proceed
slowly to the red flag line in the knowledge that:
- the race classification will be that at the end of the penultimate lap
before the lap in which the signal to stop the race was given,
- race and service vehicles may be on the track,
- the circuit may be totally blocked because of an accident,
- weather conditions may have made the circuit undriveable at racing
speed,
- the pit lane will be open.
All cars must stop at the red flag line until directed by marshals to
proceed to the grid, enter the pit lane or proceed to the parc ferme.
- The procedure to be followed varies according to the number of laps
completed by the race leader before the signal to stop the race was given:
Case A. Less than two full laps. If the race can be restarted, Article 145
will apply.
Case B. Two or more full laps but less than 75% of the race distance
(rounded up to the nearest whole number of laps). If the race can be
restarted, Article 146 will apply.
Case C. 75% or more of the race distance (rounded up to the nearest whole
number of laps). The cars will be sent directly to the parc ferme and the race
will be deemed to have finished when the leading car crossed the Line for the
penultimate time before the race was stopped.
RESTARTING A RACE
- Case A.
a) The original start shall be deemed null and void.
b) The length of the restarted race will be the full original race
distance.
c) The drivers who are eligible to take part in the race shall be eligible
for the restart either in their original car or in a spare car.
d) After the signal to stop the race has been given, all cars able to do so
will proceed directly but slowly to the red flag line under the directions of
the marshals.
e) All cars may be worked on.
f) Refuelling will be allowed until the five minute board is shown.
- Case B.
a) The race shall be deemed to be in two parts, the first of which finished
when the leading car crossed the Line for the penultimate time before the race
was stopped.
b) The length of the second part will be three laps less then the length of
the original race less the first part.
c) The grid for the second part will be a standard grid with the cars
arranged in the order in which they finished the first part.
d) Only cars which took part in the original start will be eligible and
then only if they returned to the grid or pits under their own power by an
authorised route.
e) No spare car or reserve will be eligible.
f) If the race was stopped because of rain, a sign "rain" must be displayed
at the Line.
g) Cars may be worked on.
h) No refuelling or removal of fuel will be allowed.
- In both Case A and Case B:
a) 10 minutes after the stop signal, the pit exit will close.
b) 15 minutes after the stop signal, the five minute board will be shown,
the grid will close and the normal start procedure will recompense.
c) Any car which is unable to take up its position on the grid before the
five minute board will be directed to the pits. It may then start from the
pits as specified in Article 117.
The organiser must have sufficient personnel and equipment available to
enable the foregoing timetable to be adhered to even in the most difficult
circumstances.
SAFETY CAR
- a) The safety car may be brought into operation to neutralise a race upon
the decision of the clerk of the course.
It will be used only if competitors or officials are in immediate physical
danger but the circumstances are not such as to necessitate stopping the race.
In exceptional circumstances, a race may be started behind the safety car.
b) The car must be marked "SAFETY CAR" in letters of similar dimensions to
those of the race numbers, on the rear and sides. It must have three revolving
yellow lights on the roof each powered by a different electrical circuit. It
will be driven by an experienced circuit driver. It will carry an FIA approved
observer capable of recognising all the competing cars, who is in permanent
radio contact with race control.
c) When the order is given to run the safety car, all observers' posts
(including the Line) will display immobile yellow flags and a board "SC" which
shall be maintained until the intervention is over.
d) The safety car, with its revolving lights on, will start from the pit
lane entrance. It will join the track regardless of where the race leader is.
e) All the competing cars will line up behind the safety car. All
overtaking is forbidden, unless a car is signalled to do so from the safety
car.
f) When ordered to do so by the clerk of the course, the observer in the
car will use a green light to signal to any cars between it and the race
leader that they should pass. These cars will continue at reduced speed and
without overtaking until they reach the line of cars behind the safety car.
g) The safety car shall be used at least until all the cars are lined up
behind it.
h) While the safety car is in operation, competing cars may stop at their
pit, but may only rejoin the track when the green light at the pit exit is on.
It will be on at all times except when the safety car and the line of cars
following it are about to pass or are passing the pit exit. A car rejoining
the track will proceed at reduced speed until it reaches the end of the line
of cars behind the safety car.
i) When the clerk of the course calls in the safety car, it must affect a
full lap of the circuit with the revolving lights extinguished which will be
the signal for the withdrawal of the flags and boards at the observers' posts
as soon as the last car in the train of cars behind the safety car has left
the sector.
j) When the safety car pulls off the circuit, a green flag will be waved at
the Line and the green light shown. All observers' posts will then show a
green flag. Overtaking remains strictly forbidden until the cars pass the
green flag and light at the Line. The green flags will be withdrawn after one
lap.
k) each lap completed while the safety car is in service will be counted as
a race lap.
FINISH
- The end-of-race signal will be given at the Line as soon as the first car
has covered the full race distance (or time) in accordance with Article 12.
- Should for any reason (other than under Article 143) the end-of-race
signal be given before the leading car completes the scheduled number of laps,
or the prescribed time has been completed, the race will be deemed to have
finished when the leading car last crossed the Line before the signal was
given. Should the end-of-race signal be delayed for any reason, the race will
be deemed to have finished when it should have finished.
- After receiving the end-of-race signal all cars must proceed on the
circuit directly to the parc ferme without stopping and without any assistance
(except that of the marshals, if necessary).
Any classified car which cannot reach the parc ferme under its own power
will be placed under the exclusive control of the marshals who will take the
car to the parc ferme.
CLASSIFICATION
- The car placed first will be the one having covered the scheduled distance
in the shortest time, or, where appropriate, passed the Line in the lead at
the end of two hours. All cars will be classified taking into account the
number of complete laps they have covered, and for those which have completed
the same number of laps, the order in which they crossed the Line.
- If a car takes more than twice the time of the winner's fastest lap to
cover its last lap this last lap will not be taken into account when
calculating the total distance covered by such car.
- Cars having covered less than 90% of the number of laps covered by the
winner (rounded down to the nearest whole number of laps), will not be
classified.
- The official classification will be published after the race. It will be
the only valid result subject to any amendments which may be made under the
Code and these Sporting Regulations.
POST PRACTICE PRESS CONFERENCE AND PRIZE-GIVING
- After the final qualifying on Saturday the fastest three drivers will be
required to attend a press conference in the media centre for a maximum period
of 30 minutes. This will take place 15 minutes after the end of the second
qualifying practice session.
The drivers finishing the race in 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions must attend
the prize-giving ceremony on the podium and abide by the podium procedure set
out in appendix III; and immediately thereafter make themselves available for
a period of 90 minutes for the purpose of television unilateral interviews and
the press conference in the media centre.
Six drivers will be chosen by ballot or rota during the Event and must make
themselves available to the media for a period of one hour on the Saturday
commencing at 4 p.m.
Any driver in breach of this Article shall be liable to a maximum fine of
US $ 30,000.00. All competitors shall use their best endeavours to ensure that
their drivers comply with this Article in all respects.
INSTRUCTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS TO COMPETITORS
- In exceptional circumstances, the stewards may give instructions to
competitors by means of special circulars in accordance with the Code. These
circulars will be distributed to all competitors who must give a written
receipt.
- All classifications and results of practice and the race, as well as all
decisions issued by the officials, will be posted on the official notice
board.
- Any decision or communication concerning a particular competitor must be
communicated to him forthwith in writing within 10 minutes of such decision.
SANCTIONS
- The stewards may inflict the penalties specifically set out in these
Sporting Regulations in addition to or instead of any other penalties
available to them under the Code.
INCIDENTS
- Incident means any occurrence or series of occurrences involving one or
more drivers, or any action by any driver, which is reported to the stewards
by the clerk of the course and in the opinion of the stewards,
- necessitated the stopping of a race under Article 143;
- constituted a breach of these Sporting Regulations or the Code;
- caused a false start by one or more cars;
- caused an avoidable collision;
- forced a driver off the track;
- illegitimately prEvented a legitimate overtaking manoeuvre by a driver;
- illegitimately impeded another driver during overtaking.
- It shall be at the discretion of the stewards to decide, upon a report or
a request by the race director, if a driver or drivers involved in an incident
shall be penalised.
- The stewards may impose a time penalty on any driver involved in an
incident.
- Should the stewards decide to impose a time penalty, the following
procedure shall apply:
a) The stewards shall, no later than fifteen minutes after the occurrence
of the Incident, notify the relevant competitor of the time penalty which has
been imposed.
b) Notification will be given to the team in any of the ways provided for
in these Sporting Regulations and will specify the name and car number of the
driver, the time and the period of the time penalty.
c) Subject to f) below, after notification has been given to the team
pursuant to a) and b) above, the relevant driver may cover no more than three
complete laps before proceeding to the designated area without stopping in the
pit lane and he shall remain there for the period of the time penalty.
d) Upon the designated signal, the driver shall rejoin the race.
e) Any breach or failure to comply with Articles 164 c) or 164 d) will
result in the car being stopped.
f) If an Incident for which a time penalty is imposed occurs with 12 or
less complete laps remaining to the finish of the race, the stewards shall
have the right to add the time penalty to the elapsed time of the driver
concerned.
- Any determination made of any penalty imposed pursuant to Article 163
shall be without prejudice to the operation of Articles 160 or 161 of the
Code.
EXCLUSION OF A COMPETITOR
- If in the opinion of the Formula One Commission a competitor fails to
operate his team in a manner compatible with the standards of the Championship
or in any way brings the Championship into disrepute, the FIA may exclude such
competitor from the Championship forthwith.
PROTESTS
- Protests shall be made in accordance with the Code and accompanied by a
fee of 2500.00 Swiss Frances or its equivalent in US Dollars or local
currency.
FINAL TEXT AND HEADINGS
- The final text of these Sporting Regulations shall be the english version
which shall be used should any dispute arise as to their interpretation.
Headings in this document are for ease of reference only and do not form part
of these Sporting Regulations.
- These Sporting regulations were published on 30 October 1993 and come into
force on 1 January 1994 and replace all previous FIA Formula One World
Championship Sporting Regulations.
PART B.
- MASTER OF CEREMONIES
A Master of Ceremonies will be appointed by the FIA to conduct the entire
podium ceremony.
- PODIUM
a) ROSTRUM AND DAIS The dimensions of the dais must follow those found in
the FIA graphic design manual. The distance between the edge of the winner's
dais and the retaining barrier of the podium should be a minimum of 120cm to
provide a walkway. The place where each person presenting a trophy should
stand must be marked on the floor of the podium. Trophies must be laid out on
a single table on one side of the podium. The champagne must be on the dais.
b) FLAGS Olympic Games style "flat flags" should be used if possible. There
must be a minimum space of 50cm behind the podium structure for the flag men.
c) FLOOR The podium and steps should be covered in green or dark blue
carpet.
- ANTHEMS
a) A 130 DB sound system should be installed on the podium to ensure that
national anthems, initiated by the Master of Ceremonies, are clearly heard
with an audio link to the TV broadcast.
b) When the champagne shower begins, music should be played. This should
not start until the presenters have left the podium.
c) A commentary of the podium ceremony should be broadcast to the general
public from the platform erected for the TV cameras.
- TROPHIES
Only 4 trophies will be presented during the podium ceremony:
a) winning driver
b) winning constructor (represented by its chief
mechanic)
c) second driver
d) third driver.
The trophies, which must be in the form of traditional cups, will be
provided by the ASN and must show:
a) the FIA Formula 1 World Championship official logo
b) the official
name of the Event
c) the driver's position
The height of the trophies shall be:
a) winner's and constructor's trophies - no less than 50cm and no more than
65cm high
b) second and third drivers' trophies - no less than 35cm and no
more than 45cm high
The maximum weight per trophy must not exceed 5 kilos. Trophies must be of
a design that is capable of being handled and transported without damage.
- SCENARIO (See attached designs) [Transcriber's Note: Not attached]
a) Only three persons should be on the podium to present the trophies. In
exceptional circumstances, the Master of Ceremonies may increase this to four.
b) No police, bodyguards or persons not authorised by the Master of
Ceremonies are allowed on the podium.
c) The Master of Ceremonies will inform the TV and Public Address
commentator of the names of the persons presenting the trophies.
d) The Master of Ceremonies must be on the side of the podium where the
trophies are located. The persons presenting the trophies will be on the other
side. The Master of Ceremonies will hand the trophies to those presenting
them.
- TELEVISION
The ideal position for the TV camera is immediately opposite the podium and
at the same height. Under no circumstances must there be a TV camera man on
the podium.
- PARC FERME
The parc ferme must be positioned as close as possible to the podium,
preferably immediately below, with direct access.
As soon as the the first three cars cross the Line, a course car must go
round the track to collect any driver who has finished in the first three but
is stranded on the circuit.
The drivers must not be delayed in the Parc Ferme. One person, nominated by
the Master of Ceremonies and in radio contact with him, will be responsible
for moving the drivers from the Parc Ferme to the podium without delay. Only
persons authorised by the Master of Ceremonies may make contact with the
drivers before the end of the TV unilateral interviews.
- UNILATERAL ROOM
The unilateral room must be adjacent to the podium. The Master of
Ceremonies will see that the drivers proceed there immediately after the
podium ceremony. The room should be suitably ventilated (or air conditioned if
the temperature is above 25 degrees).
- PRESS ROOM
Immediately after the TV interviews, drivers must go to the press room for
interviews.
- WATER + TOWELS
3 bottles of water must be put in the parc ferme (no identification)
3
bottles in the unilateral room (no identification)
3 towels must be
available in the unilateral room
- PODIUM PROTOCOL (except for Monaco)
The winning driver's award may only be presented by the Head of State, the
Prime Minister of the country or the FIA President. If such a person is not
available, a prominent person within the host country, or a celebrity of
international status should be invited. Should neither of the former be
available, the President of the ASN may be invited to present the winner's
trophy.
The constructor's award must be presented by the official representative of
the naming rights sponsor of the Event. In the absence of a naming rights
sponsor, the Master of Ceremonies will select a suitable person.
The second and third drivers' awards must be presented by the President of
the ASN. Should he or she be unavailable or presenting the winner's trophy,
the Master of Ceremonies will select a suitable replacement.
An invitation will be issued to each person attending the podium ceremony,
with clear instructions as to the procedure to follow.