Safety and Technological Development

FIA Safety Commission

The Safety Commission presented two new helmet standards – Premium and Karting – to the WMSC in December. Four other standards were also updated – Plumbed-in and Hand-held Fire Extinguisher Systems, Fire Suppression System for Open Cockpit Cars, Competition Seats, and Restraint Cables. The Safety Department is currently drafting two more standards for Safety Fuel Bladders and for Racing Nets with window nets integrated.

As well as undertaking a major update of the FIA Homologation Regulations for Safety Equipment and FIA Regulations for Approval of Test House, the Commission was also involved in making several updates to the ISC, including changes to Appendix L in relation to drivers’ licences and drivers’ safety equipment, and to Appendix H, Supplement 10 relating to High-voltage operational safety.

A number of FIA Safety Specifications were updated during the year, including Accident Data Recorders – LED interpretation, the addition of ABC type manual extinguishers for electrically powered vehicles, spacer specifications for 8855-2021 seats, extinguisher HV compatibility updates, and headrest foam specifications for Rally and Cross Country.

The Commission also supported the activities of the various Technical Working Groups by proposing several safety updates to bodies such as the F1 Technical Advisory Committee, the Single-Seater Working Group and in WEC, WRC, Rally, and Formula E.

Over the course of the year, the Commission also communicated these safety improvements and other educational information through 10 ASN Safety Bulletins. These covered topics ranging from seat side head support and the publication of safety equipment guidelines, to advice on the customization of protective clothing and the definition of the role of the Rally Safety Delegate.

The full list of Bulletins can be found here.

The Commission participated in a number of driver training programmes, including the Ferrari Driver Academy. Within FIA Formula 2, Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship and at Rallye du Maroc, the Commission organised scrutineers’ training at a number of events and held safety seminars and officials training programmes and e-briefings for volunteers and officials, teams and drivers.

The Commission also worked closely with other industry leaders on the first ever FIA Safety Week. 1,171 people logged in to watch the event.

Finally, the Industry Working Group held 11 meetings (two plenary meetings and nine meetings dedicated to specific products).

FIA Equipment Approval Group

Between January and October 2023, the Group received 299 new homologation requests, up from 270 in the same period of the previous year. All were granted. Sixty-one re-homologation requests were received, down from 128 in 2022, with all being approved.

Eight test house approval requests were received and all were granted.

The labelling programme started in 2012 to improve identification of FIA-approved equipment. This year, we sold 1,189,520 holograms.

Learn more about homologation here.

FIA Circuits Commission

New Circuit Projects

This year, 55 new and modified circuit project studies were carried out, of which:

• 33 new circuit projects were discussed at the Circuits Commission, and 22 were internal circuit project studies
• 16 new or modified Grade 1 circuits for Formula 1 were studied including Circuit of the Americas, Hungaroring, Interlagos, Miami, Monaco, Montreal, Qatar-Lusail, Shanghai, Silverstone, Singapore, Spa Francorchamps and Las Vegas
• 8 new or modified Grade 3E circuits for Formula E were studied including Berlin, Cape Town, Hyderabad, London, Portland, Shanghai, Tokyo

Circuit Homologation / Licencing Process

The New Projects Study Group (made up of Platinum Circuit Inspectors) met on the afternoon of every Circuits Commission to review new circuit projects. Each circuit project was carried out in close collaboration with the Drivers’ Commission.

The FIA internal Circuit Safety Analysis System (CSAS) simulation software was further developed to integrate the latest 3D digital circuit models. Driver in Loop Simulation is now included during the evaluation phase of new circuit designs, to assess proposed changes from a safety and sporting perspective.

Regulation Updates

The commission passed several key updates to Appendix O to improve the smooth running of events, and reduce the risk of a non-permanent or newly-constructed circuit not being ready in sufficient time before a scheduled race event.

The Commission also continued to develop strategies on the following key topics:

• A tool for ASNs to encourage circuits to take the first step onto the international licencing pyramid was developed, with supporting checklists, and submission and approval process.
• A Grade 6RW circuit licence for circuits used for FIA World Rallycross Championship Competition events.
• The Grade T licence was promoted to the FIA Industry Working Group and its Circuit Designers leading to homologation applications from North America, Oceania and Europe.
• Grade 5 Circuits.

Circuit Equipment Homologation

Work continued on the following key Circuit Equipment Homologation standards:

Ongoing projects outlined in the Circuit Safety Road Map include: 

• FIA Racetrack Pavement Guidelines
• FIA Circuit Marshalling System Specifications

Track Limits Working Group 

The Track Limits Advisory Paper was updated in 2023. This paper explains how track limits can be effectively enforced, providing guidance, recommendations, and options for officials conducting various levels of FIA events.  

The Commission also continued to support the use of various methods of track limit monitoring, including timing loops and trackside camera systems.  

The FIA Circuits Commission fully supports the return of circuits to natural track limits wherever possible and practical to do so, changes that have been well received by drivers, officials and fans of the sport. 

Race Control 

The Commission continued to promote the use of two guidance papers around the operation of Race Control to ASNs, circuit designers and operators. These were also updated to reflect various CCTV and radio issues experienced during 2023:  

• Race Control Room Design Guidelines
• Race Control Communication Guidelines

Closed Road Commission

The Closed Road Commission was active across number of key initiatives in 2023, covering safety, training, and technical development.  

Rally Safety Task Force 

The Rally Safety Task Force’s remit has been expanded to cover all Closed Road Competition activities. The task force’s name was changed to reflect this.

In 2023, the Task Force reviewed safety measures at the Kuwait Rally (which was ultimately cancelled following a Yellow Card in 2022), and the Czech round of the FIA European Rally Championship. The group also provided support to the WRC event in Japan and to the ASNs in Australia, Rwanda and Burundi.

The Task Force also drafted the 2024 CRCSTF plan. This which already includes Hill Climb events as Ecce Homo following a yellow card application, and Greek events, following a voluntary application from the ASN.

Regulations and specifications

This year, two working groups were established to examine the safety of open desert stages and to improve safety communications with ASNs. As a result of their efforts, Appendix H to the ISC has been updated to reflect new best practices.

Elsewhere, in coordination with WRC and Rally Commissions, the WRC and Regional Rally Regulations have been updated to introduce and define the Draft Safety Plan and Final Safety Plan sharing timeline.

The Cross-Country Guidelines were also released this year.

Training

A total of 24 Rally Safety Delegates representing 11 FIA Member Clubs gathered in Valleiry, France, for a two-day Rally Operational Safety Training seminar.

Research

In collaboration with the Safety Department, a study and tests have been conducted to mitigate head impact severity during Cross-Country competitions.  

The Commission also continued to develop the Artificial Intelligence Safety Camera, while three more devices were added to the list of systems that meet FIA Regional Rally Tracking System Specifications. Two providers have upgraded their systems to adhere to the specifications.  

The Commission supported the testing of virtual slow zones managed by the tracking units in ERC. These virtual slow zones are put into place in certain areas during a rally, and teams can be reported to Stewards in case of infringement. 

The Commission added two driver representatives as guests including, one for Cross Country rally and one female co-driver for non-professional crews. 

This addition reflects the expansion of the Closed Road Commission in terms of categories and scope.  

Medical and Rescue Group

Anti-Doping

Anti-Doping education was an ongoing priority in 2023. The FIA Anti-Doping Education Plan specifically targeted World Championship and Testing Pool drivers, and was delivered through a series of sessions held over the course of the season. Some of these sessions were held during competition weekends to ensure high levels of attendance among key audiences. A Webinar for Testing Pool drivers was also delivered in May 2023.

The FIA also partnered with ITA to deliver an Anti-Doping Webinar Series for drivers, coaches, and medical professionals. This five-part series was held across November and December 2023. Individual webinars focused on:

• Introduction to Anti-Doping
• The Doping Control Process
• Medications, Supplements, the Prohibited List and TUEs
• Principles and Values associated with Clean Sport
• Out-of-Competition Testing

This series has been widely advertised through the newsletter to ASNs, and on the FIA website and social media.

The Anti-Doping leaflets (for drivers, for National Federations and for E-competitors) were also distributed amongst the FIA Community.

Alcohol controls

Alcohol controls were organised throughout the season for both drivers and officials. The FIA’s anti-alcohol policy is presented to drivers as part of anti-doping training sessions.

Appendix H Updates

The Medical and Rescue Group has been working closely with the Medical Commission to revise and update FIA International Sporting Code Appendix H. Notable updates include:

• Amendment and clarification of the roles and responsibilities of FIA Medical Delegate.
• Amendment and clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the ASN Rescue Chief.
• Amendment of the CMO/DCMO accreditation process with the introduction of a series of specifically designed webinars.
• Revisions to reflect the status and naming of current FIA Championships.
• Revision and update of recommendations for private testing to include firefighting capability, operational e-safety considerations, and technical rescue requirements.
• Addition of pelvic binders as part of the requirements for mobile intervention equipment.
• Amendment to reflect the need to consider provisions of medical equipment for treatment of paediatric patients.
• Amendment to provide greater flexibility to Chief Medical Officers for provision of first medical intervention.
• Change to the administration process for medical and rescue service provision.
• Revision of circuit classification in relation to medical centre provision.

Medical Commission Working Groups

Throughout 2023, the Medical Commission has established working groups to discuss varied topics and projects for the future. These include:

• Epilepsy
• Introduction to Motorsports Project
• Medical Technology
• Review of Medical Equipment

Medical and Rescue Summit 2023

In January 2023, the FIA Medical and Rescue Group delivered a two-day medical summit as part of FIA Safety Week. Nearly three-hundred medical and rescue personnel from across the world attended the biannual event, learning about key medical and rescue topics from expert guests and staff.

FIA Intervention Guidelines Project

Work has continued on the FIA Intervention Guidelines this year. The project aims to enhance operational safety and will provide all responders with a clear understanding of when and how to respond during specific incidents. The guidelines will be released throughout 2024 and 2025 and will focus on three key areas:

• Safety Critical Considerations
• Multi-Agency Approaches and Human Factors
• Rescue and Technical Rescue Techniques and Processes

Operational Safety

The FIA Medical and Rescue Group has provided guidance within topics related to operational safety across all championships. The Department also created documents, guidelines, briefing content, and recommendations to explain this guidance to key stakeholders.

The department has also worked to increase awareness and understanding of the impact of the potential safety risks created by hydrogen usage. They continue to support wider work on operational e-safety.

FIA Medical Delegates

In 2023, the Commission recruited three additional personnel. During 2024, the new team members will receive additional training by attending events under the supervision of experienced delegates.

FIA Manufacturers’ Commission

In 2023, the Sporting Committee of the Manufacturers’ Commission, featuring representation from 28 worldwide automotive manufacturers, held three meetings. Across these meetings, manufacturers with the FIA discussed various topics: new technologies and their implementation in FIA Championships, environmental and sustainability developments, the evolution of FIA championships, and the Chinese and Indian automotive markets. The FIA reaffirmed the importance of regular consultation with motor sport manufacturers to ensure a global voice for the sport and mobility.

Additionally, there was a discussion about the third Nielsen report (previously published in 2015 and 2019) and the effects of motorsport programmes on brands.

At the end of 2023, the World Motor Sport Council and the World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism voted to restructure the Manufacturers Commission as a purely sporting body. Now known as the Manufacturers’ Committee, it will report solely to the World Motor Sport Council instead of both World Councils.

The FIA reiterated its intention to engage with manufacturers, listen to their concerns, and note topics that may be interesting for future discussions. Additionally, the Commission’s evolution showcased the FIA’s commitment to sharing its advancements in sustainability and new technologies that can be applied to motor sport. The FIA appreciated manufacturer representatives’ active support and contribution to enhancing collaboration and would like to continue this dynamic.

Technical Department

FIA World Endurance Championship

In addition to managing technical matters related to the 2023 season, the Technical Department was responsible for four LMH car homologations and two LMDh car homologations, as well as five Centre of Gravity (CoG) measurements on Hypercars. It also undertook 18 extension forms in LMH and three in LM GTE.

Meanwhile, in preparation for the 2024 season, it approved six LMGT3, one LMH and two LMDh car homologations. In collaboration with the ACO Technical Department, it also provided the calculations needed to manage the Balance of Performance between hybrid and non-hybrid cars.

The Technical Regulations for the new LMDh category were also refined, with working groups established to validate the changes in agreement with the manufacturers committed to the new category, as well as with ACO and IMSA.

In LMP2, the current homologation cycle has been extended into 2025 for cost-saving reasons. Work is underway to define the new LMP2 class, which is scheduled to arrive in 2026

FIA Formula 1 World Championship

The Technical Department conducted working groups to provide technical expertise for 2026 regulations in powertrain, electronics and simulation. The working groups also led on definition and drafting of technical rules for 2026.

FIA Formula E World Championships

Following the successful introduction of the Gen 3 Formula E car and in response to manufacturers’ requests for enhanced performance, a Gen 3.5 specification was developed. The new specification includes new bodywork for drag reduction, front powertrain updates to enable AWD drive capability at the start, and the introduction of a new tyre construction and compound to boost grip.

The Technical Department also selected the following companies for the development of the Gen 4 Car: Spark for the chassis, Marelli for the front powertrain, Podium, a new supplier, for the battery, and Bridgestone as tyre supplier.

Rallying

As well as overseeing amendments to the Rally1 regulations and working with OEMs on the homologation of Jokers for 2023 and Rally1 cars for 2024, the Technical Department has been working on a possible evolution of the current technical regulations for the next homologation cycle.

The department also homologated the Toyota Yaris GR in Rally2 and the Renault Clio in Rally3. In E-Rally5, the department finalised Technical Regulations and in Rally5, the department finalised the Technical Regulations for cars in Group Rally5-kit, together with ASN representatives. These regulations were introduced from 1 January 2024.

In WRC, the department drew up the technical plans for the championship’s tyre tender for 2025-2027.

Meanwhile, in Rallycross, the department drew up the sporting regulations part for the ‘Battle of Technologies’ in RX1E versus RX1, as well as the technical element of the Rallycross tyre tender 2024-2026.

In Autocross, the department planned the technical elements of the Autocross and CrossCar tyre tender 2024-2025, while in CrossCar, it continued working on the creation of the CrossCar Level 1 & Level 2 Production Requirement Document.

Cross Country

Early in 2023, the department implemented the Equivalence of Technology process, which aims to balance the performance of the best vehicles of both classes in W2RC events. The team then worked to enhance this process over the course of the year.

The Safety and Technical department also worked on the future implementation of the seat attenuator concept.

The department also inspected the first vehicle of the new Challenger class (formerly T3) in November 2023 and worked on the technical regulations for T5.U vehicles propelled by alternative powertrains.

Other Championships

The department’s 2023 activity encompassed work on a wide variety of other series including Electric Sports Cars, the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship, Hill Climb, GT Racing, Touring Cars, and ecoRally.