Bahrain season opener: regulation changes expected
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The Bahrain Grand Prix marks the start of a new season in which significant changes to the FIA's regulations are at the forefront. In particular, there are stricter impeding rules and major changes to the Parc Fermé regime, two issues that have dominated the 2023 scene.
The Formula 1 regulations are notoriously extensive and subject to frequent change. Indeed, the 2024 season will open this weekend in Bahrain with changes to the rules of the FIA's top category.
Firstly, there are changes to the issue of impeding drivers, which has often been a feature of qualifying in the past, and which Bahrain race director Niels Wittich is looking to reduce by introducing stricter rules. Currently, the stewards can impose grid penalties for impeding, with a minimum of three positions to be served on the Sunday (or Saturday in the case of the Sprint Race) grid. The regulations have already been changed for 2023, with the introduction of a time limit between the two Safety Car lines from the Italian Grand Prix. This year, to avoid penalties in Bahrain, drivers will have to stay within a set maximum time in each sector of the track at both the first and second Safety Car lines.
Drivers have also been reminded of their obligation to move off the racing line on the three straights following the start if they approach a car on its fast lap.
Changes also to the Parc Fermé regime
When we think of the Parc Fermé concept or regime, it is hard not to think of the US Grand Prix of 2023. The disqualifications of Leclerc and Hamilton, due to excessive floor wear, raised the debate about the activation of the Parc Fermé on Friday, even during the sprint weekends, leaving the cars with no possibility of set-up changes throughout the weekend, with the only possible intervention being a penalty for starting from the pit lane, resulting in the loss of positions gained in qualifying.
Although it had been the subject of discussion, it was not until this season that the regulations made an effective change. With the aim of giving the teams more freedom, there will be two different Parc Fermé activation situations during the Sprint weekends: the first from the start of qualifying until the control after the Sprint race, and the second from Saturday morning until the end of the race on Sunday. This will allow the teams to interfere in the set-up of the cars between the end of the Sprint Race and the start of the main race on Sunday, optimising performance on the basis of the data collected.
From this season, the FIA has also reviewed the use of the third car in exceptional circumstances , and has defined exactly what it includes: chassis, engine parts and other components that have already been fitted, even if only partially. Teams will not be allowed to have a complete third car at their disposal during Grands Prix, but only in the event of a serious accident, subject to FIA approval.
