“That will change in formula 1 in 2025: new restrictions and technical innovations”, – WRITE: Sport.ua
However, formula-1 is an environment that is constantly developing, and although there are no dramatic changes in the regulation this year, some important innovations have been introduced into both technical and sports rules.
Here is an overview of key changes that will come into force in 2025:
1. Cancel of a bonus point for the fastest circle
Formula-1 refuses to calculate the point for the fastest circle in 2025.
Although this bonus, renewed in 2019, added intrigues, he caused disputes. This was especially evident after Singapore’s Grand Prix in 2023, when Daniel Riccardo, finishing outside the top 10, showed the most likely a circle, thus depriving the applicants for the title of valuable points.
It was also believed that this point was too often reached by riders, who had a significant separation at the end of the race and could afford to stop in boxes to install fresh tires.
2. Increasing the minimum weight of the car and the pilot
Due to the weight gain of hybrid power plants, safety requirements (eg Halo) and new cooling systems:
- The minimum weight of the car will increase from 798 kg to 800 kg.
- The minimum permissible mass of the driver will increase from 80 kg to 82 kg (including equipment and ballast for lighter pilots).
This change is intended to equalize the conditions for riders with different physique.
3. The new pilot cooling system in the heat
After extreme conditions, during the Qatar Grand Prix, the FIA introduces a mandatory cooling system for riders. FIA will announce thermal hazard mode if the projected temperature exceeds 30.5 ° C. In this case, the commands should install cooling vests that run on the batteries and circulate the coolant around the pilot’s body.
The following liquids are used: air, water or aqueous solution of sodium chloride, potassium chloride or propylene glycol.
To improve cooling, it is allowed to create special ventilation openings in the front of the car. The minimum weight of the car increases by another 5 kg to take into account additional equipment.
In addition to the main opening for the cooling system, on the top of the nose it is possible to install an additional lady for the supply of fresh air pilot.
4. Restrictions on flexible rear wings
Last year, McLaren caused a hype when their flexible rear wing was designed so that at high speed it flexed, creating an additional gap. This reduced resistance and increased speed in straight areas.
This concept was called “Mini-DRS” because it partially imitated the function of the official resistance reduction system (DRS), though it was not so effective.
Despite the fact that McLaren agreed to make changes at the end of the season after consultation with FIA, new technical restrictions were introduced in 2025 to prevent similar solutions:
- The width of the back wing will decrease from 10-15 mm to 9.4-13 mm.
- The maximum opening of the wing with DRS will remain at 85 mm.
- A clear rule is set: DRS items can only be in two positions – open or closed. Flexible solutions are prohibited.
The rules indicate:
“Except for DRS malfunction or the transition between position, the DRS body can only have two fixed states. The position should be the same before and after each deployment. The transition time between the states should not exceed 400 ms. ”
Also, from the Grand Prix of Spain 2025, FIA introduces stricter requirements for the flexibility of the front wings:
- The rigidity of the structure should increase by one third.
- When testing a force of 1000 N at three points at wing width: the maximum vertical deviation in the outside will decrease from 15 mm to 10 mm, in the inside – from 3 mm to 2 mm.
The accurate impact of these changes on commands is still unknown. Last season, McLaren and Mercedes were the leaders in the use of flexible elements, while Ferrari and Red Bull were insisted on explanations from FIA.
After additional analysis, the FIA did not find violations that allowed Ferrari to develop its own concept of flexible wings at the end of the season, and Red Bull plans to aggressively introduce its ideas by 2025.
5. Restriction on previous cars testing (TPC)
To prevent “test war” with old cars, FIA for the first time imposes restrictions on the testing of previous cars:
- Teams are allowed no more than 20 days TPC per season.
- Existing riders can travel no more than 1000 km within four days.
Also, since 2025, the number of compulsory departures of newcomers in free practice has increased. Previously, the teams were obliged to provide a newcomer (with less than two Grand Prix) to participate in two sessions during the season. In 2025, this requirement increased to four trips.
6. Starting the lattice in force majeure circumstances
The confusion during the Grand Prix of Brazil in 2023 revealed gaps in the regulations on the formation of a lattice if the qualification did not take place.
Since 2025, the new rules provide “if qualification cannot be carried out through force majeure, the grid will be determined by the current classification of the driver’s championship.”
And after the incident with Alex Albon in Brazil, changes were made to the procedure of closing the lattice:
- The final version of the starting grille will be published 1 hour before the race (earlier – in 2 hours).
- If the car is removed 75 minutes before the start, its place on the grid will be closed and other positions will be drawn forward.