Teams won’t be allowed to hide F1 cars at testing

Formula 1 teams will be prevented from using screens to hide their cars from their rivals and fans during winter testing, beginning from 2020.

The new rule is one of a number of changes agreed to the 2020 technical and sporting regulations following Wednesday’s meeting of the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.

In recent years teams have taken advantage of a lack of regulation regarding displaying their cars during winter testing to put covers on their new challengers or hide them completely behind large screens while pre-season testing takes place.

But the more stringent rules - which also apply during grand prix weekends - will stop teams being able to hide their cars, with the FIA explaining the move is to “make these events more appealing to the media and fans”.

Other changes approved by the FIA include reinstating the use of a physical chequered flag to end grand prix races.

A chequered light panel system has been used since an error at the 2018 Canadian Grand Prix led to celebrity guest Winnie Harlow waving the chequered flag a lap early.

But a problem with the new electronic system led to the race distance at this year’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka to be shortened by one lap, prompting a change for next season.

Tweaks to the rules regarding the sampling and testing of fuel at events have also been made, while the FIA has confirmed three standard suppliers from 2021 in line with its increased push to reduce costs of competing in the championship.

BBS will provide wheel rims, with Magneti Marelli producing fuel-primer pumps and Bosch tasked with the responsibility of supplying high pressure fuel pump and piping.