Motorsport
This is new in Formula 1: a fine of up to one million euros
The orange smoke over Max Verstappen’s fans should be a thing of the past. The use of pyros has been prohibited at FIA events since last October. photo
© Peter Dejong/AP/dpa
There is no major reform, but a few things will change in the coming Formula 1 season. An overview of the innovations.
24 Grand Prix: There have never been so many races. Not new, but no longer on the calendar since the 2019 race: the Shanghai International Circuit in the area around the Chinese metropolis. The race opener in Bahrain and the second Grand Prix of the season in Saudi Arabia will take place on a Saturday in consideration of the Islamic month of fasting.
Sprint weekend format: Like last year, there will also be a sprint race as part of six Grand Prix weekends. This time the decision on the starting grid for the 100 kilometer race will be moved from Saturday to Friday after free training. The sprint takes place on Saturday, followed by qualification for the respective Grand Prix on Sunday.
Fines quadrupled
One million euro fine: Offenses on the race weekend can now be really expensive. Instead of a maximum of 250,000 euros, the race stewards can impose a fine of up to one million euros. The FIA justified the surcharge with the unchanged amount over twelve years and the current needs of motorsport.
Use of pyro: The orange smoke above Max Verstappen’s fans should be a thing of the past. Especially at his home race in Zandvoort or at his Red Bull team’s home race in Styria, the so-called “Orange Army” with the corresponding smoke flares provided impressive images. However, the use of pyros has been prohibited at FIA events since last October.
Double role: Mick Schumacher will have travel stress this year. He will continue to be nominated as a test and reserve driver for Mercedes, but at the same time – and for the first time – the 24-year-old will compete in the Endurance World Championship for Alpine. At his former Haas racing team, team boss Günter Steiner had to leave after the season; Nico Hülkenberg’s successor and boss is the Japanese Ayao Komatsu.
Racing on TV – free
Seven races on free TV in Germany: RTL will broadcast seven Grand Prix this year. After the private broadcaster left at the end of 2020, the pay channel Sky handed over four races to RTL. Sky had contractually committed to offering four races without a paywall. Last year no agreement was reached with RTL and Sky showed four Grand Prizes on its YouTube channel. This year, in addition to all the races on Sky, the Grand Prix in Bahrain, Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Azerbaijan and Las Vegas can be seen freely on RTL with an appropriate subscription. And there: former Haas team boss Steiner as an expert.