F1 teams have agreed to support the initiative to try to reduce the workload of their workers ahead of a 2023 season that is expected to have as many as 24 races.
Staff are currently subject to three curfews on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, known respectively as Restricted Periods 1, 2 and 3, during which they cannot work on the cars and must leave the paddock.
Currently, the Formula 1 Friday curfew starts 13 hours before the start of FP3 (third practice session, which takes place on Saturday morning). However, the latest FIA Sporting Regulations for 2023 confirm that from next year team members will have to stop earlier, as they will be required to stop working 14 hours before FP3, and 15 hours before starting. of 2024.
By then, teams will be challenged to perform the same prep tasks they do now on Friday afternoon, but in a two-hour shorter time window. In addition, the number of curfew exceptions – or wildcards – that teams can use to skip this restricted period will be reduced.
Those exceptions were originally intended to be used in an emergency, and a generous level was set for the start of work hours. However, they are often used by teams when new car update packs arrive late and need to be installed for qualifying and racing.
Yes, teams have agreed to “save themselves” by reducing the number of wild cards, which removes the temptation to use them routinely.
Currently, teams can use eight wild cards to skip curfew on Wednesday nights. That will drop to four in 2023, and then to two in 2024.
The number of wild cards for Thursday nights will be reduced from the current six to three in 2023, and to two in 2024.
There will be no change to the current figure of two curfew exceptions on Friday nights.
Additionally, in a change to the 2022 regulations that will apply from this weekend’s French GP, those deemed to be members of the ‘operations team’ will no longer have to leave the paddock at the start of the Wednesday curfew and Thursday.
Now they are allowed to stay an hour longer, but “for the sole purpose of exercising on the circuit, eating and socializing”, not working on the cars, computers or parts.
The measure is considered to promote the well-being of team members by allowing them to run or cycle the circuit or have a relaxed dinner that does not compromise their work commitments in the box.
These new rules add that “during those periods, these personnel must cease their operational activities.”
“This includes, and is not limited to work on cars or car components necessary for the operation of cars, engineers working on computers. Failure to comply with this rule will be considered a touching offense. remains”.
The change in curfew rules introduced at the beginning of the COVID era to reduce congestion at the paddock turnstiles, when staff were allowed to come in half an hour earlier for breakfast, but could not work in the garage during that time, was has been maintained, although the reference to required social distancing has been removed.
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