F1 wants to change rules: DRS, safety cars and sprints to be changed?

Formula 1 is one of the few sports where rules can constantly change and this season is no different. Behind the scenes, the FIA is busy improving the show for fans. These include discussions about sprint races, grid penalties, safety cars and DRS trains.

No more safety cars across the finish line

According to Auto, Motor und Sport the virtual safety car may well be gone in the future. The rule could unfairly give an advantage to a driver who happens to be near the pit lane at the time of the VSC. A return to a normal safety car would be preferable at the moment. Also, finishing behind the safety car should no longer be possible.

DRS per second?

DRS is currently a necessary evil in Formula 1. The cars have difficulty overtaking without the open rear wings. Therefore, possible adjustments to the system are being looked at. For instance, it could just be possible that in the coming years the DRS could open from the very first lap (currently it can only be opened after two completed laps).

AMuS itself comes up with the idea of giving a time limit to the DRS. Then drivers could open the wing for a certain amount of time per lap. In that case, it would become much like the push-to-pass system currently used in IndyCar. In that, drivers get a boost of around 60 hp for a total of 150 to 200 seconds per race.

Two races and two qualifying sessions per weekend

The sprint race weekends also need to be revamped. This will not happen yet in 2023, but probably in 2024. F1 wants there to be a highlight on each day and wants to reduce the number of useless practice sessions. For this reason, it is looking at a second qualifying session. A weekend would then have VT1 on Friday, sprint qualifying on Friday afternoon, qualifying for the Grand Prix on Saturday morning and the sprint race later on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, the GP will remain at its current spot.