Explaining what is being debated off track this weekend in Bahrain, why it matters and what might happen next...
Thursday 13 December 2018 14:25, UK
What are we expecting to happen off the track this weekend?
Formula 1 have presented their proposal for the future of the sport post-2020.
Who made the announcement?
Liberty Media, the commercial rights holders of Formula 1, delivered the presentation with the backing of the FIA, the sport's governing body.
Who attended the meeting?
The 10 teams plus the four current engine manufacturers (Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Honda) were present for the meeting.
Why is 2021 so important?
The present Concorde Agreement was signed in 2013 and expires in December 2020.
2021 therefore represents the first year of the next engine formula regulations and the first season after the present commercial deals with the teams expire.
What's the Concorde Agreement again?
The Concorde Agreement is the binding contract between Formula One Management, the FIA and all the teams which specifies how Formula 1 is run and its revenues are distributed.
What has been proposed?
Broadly speaking, Liberty have divided their proposal into four elements: power units, which will be 'cheaper, simpler and louder'; costs, with the proposed introduction of a cost cap; revenues, with a new 'distribution criteria based on meritocracy and reward success; cars that are 'more raceable to increase overtaking opportunities' but which 'must and will remain different from each other'.
The F1 bosses reveal their vision of the sport's future
Haven't we heard this before?
New engine regulations from 2021 form a key part of Liberty's plans and a draft proposal was put forward last October.
The blueprint unveiled featured F1 cars powered by a V6 turbo hybrid engine, without an MGU-H, a more powerful MGU-K and a move towards standardised parts with limited areas of development.
But since that meeting in Paris, Ross Brawn has held discussions with the teams and manufacturers, with the refined plans expected to be unveiled in Bahrain.
Where can l follow all the news?
On Sky F1, of course! Our full Bahrain GP schedule can be found here while our Digital channels will have around-the-clock updates on events on and off the track this weekend in the desert.
