F1: WMSC confirms new rules deadline

The World Motor Sport Council has agreed to extend the deadline for finalizing Formula 1's sporting and technical regulations for 2017.

The decision was proposed following last week's meetings of the Strategy Group and F1 Commission in Geneva, with the WMSC confirming a new deadline of April 30 is now in place, with the previous one being Feb. 29. The move follows lengthy discussions over the winter on power units and changes to the cars for 2017 in terms of bodywork.

With regard to power units, and in a response to the threat of an independent engine as proposed by FIA president Jean Todt and F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, the four manufacturers – Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Honda – agreed on a way forward in mid-January. The talks focused on number of key areas, notably a cost cap from 2018 of €12 million [$13.2m] per annum to customers, along with a guarantee of supply, with the rules to be stabilised for three years until 2020. The final matter remains under discussion, in particular as Ecclestone is keen on identical power output units for all teams.

Another area being debated is the fact an offer to cut supply costs next year by €1m [$1.1m] as an interim measure until the 2018 cap comes into force does not go far enough for the customers, with a push for greater savings being urged.

The WMSC has accepted the 2017 bodywork proposals voted through last week. The FIA had outlined the exact details of those plans in a statement, with time gains estimated at around four to five seconds per lap. It is anticipated Pirelli will account for three seconds of that improvement, with the remainder to come from bodywork developments.

A WMSC statement read: "The World Motor Sport Council agreed with the proposal from the F1 Commission to extend the deadline for the completion of 2017 Sporting and Technical Regulations until April 3-, 2016. This will allow all stakeholders the best opportunity to finalise all relevant work – especially with regard to power unit regulations focusing on the four key areas of supply cost, obligation to supply, performance convergence, and further improvement of noise.

"The World Motor Sport Council approved the 2017 bodywork regulations proposed by the F1 Commission, and noted that early simulations have indicated an improvement in lap times by approximately four to five seconds on most circuits."

The WMSC, meanwhile, has formally ratified the new elimination-style qualifying format. It startes "the new system should be introduced" for the season-opening race in Australia later this month.

Originally on Autosport.com