Amid all of the fun and frivolity of the FIA “Prize giving” ceremony, we typically just call those award ceremonies here in the US, there was also time for some tolled up sleeves and hard work by the people in the picture below.

Yes, the FIA were busy making a few decision about the new group and regulatory procedure behind the new cost cap set for 2021. They also were trying to put their foot on the neck of digital motorsport.

I read a lot of press releases and statement in and around the world of motorsport and I thought I would create a new post format that simply highlights what I see when I redline the statements I read. What catches my eye and what may intrigue you as well.

FIA Press Release:

Opening the Assembly, FIA President Jean Todt highlighted the way in which the Federation is growing on a global scale, with interest from new member clubs, and a push to improve diversity in sport.

The Federation’s ongoing efforts to improve grassroots access to motorsport have been boosted by the CrossCar programme, while the Girls on Track initiative is creating new racing fans and finding untapped female talent.

On a global level, the FIA’s member clubs have joined the Federation’s world championships to work towards a planet-friendly future for sport and mobility alike, with a focus on electric racing, greener fuels, and Smart Cities developed with all road users in mind.

Negative Camber

So the main focus of Formula 1’s governing body is electric racing, greener fuels and smart cities? I was hoping we could start with something simpler like better racing.

During today’s Annual General Assembly meeting, the following decisions were taken:

Amendments to the FIA Statutes

FIA Formula One World Championship – Implementation of 2021 Financial Regulations

The 2021 Formula One Financial Regulations require, for their full implementation, that the FIA Statutes be amended.

Consequently, the Assembly approved a number of amendments to the FIA Statutes relating to the creation of a Cost Cap Adjudication Panel (CCAP), that would be competent in the first instance in all disciplinary matters relating to the FIA Formula One Financial Regulations, within the structure of the FIA and to the election by the General Assembly of the members of the CCAP. Candidates will be proposed by the FIA Sport Members entitled to vote and by any group of five competitors of the FIA Formula One World Championship. 

Negative Camber

This is an important and powerful role they have just announced and one suspects Ross Brawn had his input as well. This is a very politically powerful role in the cost cap process having the ability to see team financials. It would be interesting to know what the teams think about this new group.

Additionally, the Assembly agreed to the following amendments to the FIA Statutes:

• Formal recognition of the emerging discipline of virtual/electronic motorsport (‘Digital Motorsport’), In order to assert the regulatory power of the FIA over this discipline. 

Negative Camber

This is an interesting move as it either suggests the FIA is intrigued by or threatened by the advancing digital motorsport business and they are trying to position themselves as the regulatory body of all digital racing.

• Clarification of the Boundaries for FIA Automobile Mobility and Tourism Regions III and IV. The new boundaries provide that: Region III encompasses North America including the Caribbean but not including Central America. Region IV encompasses South America and Central America (i.e. Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama)

International Tribunal and International Court of Appeal

In order to implement the 2021 Formula One Financial Regulations the Judicial and Disciplinary Rules (JDR) were amended to include the addition of new provisions on the jurisdiction of the International Court of Appeal (ICA) to hear appeals against decisions of the Cost Cap Adjudication Panel.

The term of office of 18 judges of the IT and ICA ends on 31 December 2019. The Assembly therefore proceeded to the election of the following:

Amendments to the FIA International Sporting Code

The Assembly agreed to several amendments to the International Sporting Code, including the following:

• Again in relation to the implementation of the 2021 Formula One Financial Regulations a number of changes have been made to the International Sporting Code, principally regarding the authority of stewards, by which all matters relating to the FIA Formula One Financial Regulations fall within the exclusive competence of the FIA Cost Cap Administration and of the FIA Cost Cap Adjudication Panel. 

Negative Camber

What we are seeing here is the removal of any of the cost cap regulation oversight or responsibility in regards to enforcement and punishment from the race stewards. It is all being placed in the hands of the cost cap group and adjudication court.

• Homologation of automobiles: Automobiles must comply with their respective homologation documents, except in the case of Automobiles adapted for disabled Drivers in possession of a Certificate of adaptations issued by the FIA. In that case, modifications to the Automobile in accordance with the adaptations specified in the Certificate of adaptations are authorised.

Hat Tip: FIA