The FIA have published amendments to the 2013 Technical and Sporting regulations after a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in Istanbul. Here is a brief outline of the most important ones. You can read the FIA announcement in full, which includes 2014 changes, on their website.
The car
There will be more stringent front wing deflection tests, meaning teams will not be able to run flexible bodywork for aerodynamic gains.
There will be an increase in minimum car weight in order to compensate for the fact that tyres will weigh more in 2013.
The team
While teams were previously allowed four curfew ‘jokers’ throughout the season, meaning they could break the six hour curfew which was put on place in the paddock, to work on their cars, it has been decreased to just two for 2013. As well as that the curfew will be extended from six hours to eight, meaning teams will have to be even more careful they don’t breaking it, as it could result in a penalty.
Previously when cars stopped out on track after qualifying, and therefore could not make it back to the pits under their own steam, teams were able to claim ‘force majeure’ – i.e. it was beyond their control. This allowance has been removed and from now on the FIA will determine how much fuel the car would have used to get back to the pit-lane and add it to the required one litre sample.
Rules
For 2013 the use of DRS will be restricted in practice and qualifying. In 2012 it could be used wherever the drivers wanted during practice and qualifying, but next year it will be restricted to use in the race DRS zones as indicated by the FIA ahead of the weekend.
The 'H' Duct 