MOTORSPORT: Big changes in F1 and WRC

New technical regulations for Formula 1 from 2021 have been ratified by the World Motor Sport Council, with claims sexier-looking cars will produce better racing.

Rallying's new world champion, Ott Tanak, will have only one more event in a Toyota Yaris – Rally Australia at Coffs Harbour in a fortnight – before joining Hyundai next year.

And IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe, who raced in the Bathurst 1000 three weeks ago, is suddenly in the wilderness.

F1 bosses predict 2021 cars in motor racing's premier world championship will lose only five to 10 per cent of aerodynamic downforce when close behind a rival, rather than the 40 per cent that has made overtaking difficult for years.

However, the 1.6-litre V6 hybrid power units of the past six years remain, meaning that much of the hype that will come with the announcement overnight will be window-dressing.

Part of the announcement was that "the regulations, which were unanimously approved, will be married to a new governance and prize fund structure that will enable the sport to grow and improve while further strengthening the business model".

Then it added: "These agreements are in an advanced stage with the teams" – i.e., they are not yet agreed, and so there will be plenty of argument yet.

It is claimed that there will be a US$175 million (A$254 million at today's exchange rate) a year spending cap on teams that will "make the sport fairer and more sustainable".

That cap supposedly will apply to anything related to track performance, but it will exclude driver salaries, as well as those of the top three executives in teams, and marketing costs – and that's where the trouble will come in policing it.

The technical regulations will usher in more sweeping bodywork, simplified front wings, bigger rear wings, increased underbody aerodynamics, wheel-wake control devices, simplified suspension and low-profile tyres with 18-inch rims.

It's also been proposed that the wheel rims be fitted with a rotating LED display panel and that a bodywork display panel also be introduced to provide information to spectators.

A fuller explanation of the technical changes can be viewed online.

The announcement came from F1 chairman and chief executive Chase Carey and Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) president Jean Todt at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas ahead of this weekend's US Grand Prix – the third-last round of the F1 championship at which Lewis Hamilton can clinch his sixth world title.

Carey said the new rules "have emerged from a detailed two-year process of examining technical, sporting, and financial issues".

"We made many changes during the process as we received input by the teams and other stakeholders and we firmly believe we achieved the goals we had set out to deliver," Carey said.

"These regulations are an important and major step, however this is an ongoing process and we will continue to improve these regulations and take further steps to enable our sport to grow and achieve its full potential.

"One of the most important initiatives we will be addressing is the environmental impact of our sport. We already have the most efficient engine in the world and in the next few weeks we will be launching plans to reduce and ultimately eliminate environmental impact of our sport and business.

"We have always been at the leading edge of the automobile industry and we believe we can play a leadership role on this critical issue as well."

Todt said the changes announced came after "intense research and development, close collaboration, the support of teams and drivers, circuit designers, tyre supplier Pirelli and all F1 stakeholders".

"It is a major change in how the pinnacle of motor sports will be run, and for the first time we have addressed the technical, sporting and financial aspects all at once," Todt said.

"The 2021 regulations have been a truly collaborative effort and I believe this to be a great achievement ... the best framework we could possibly have to benefit competitors and stakeholders, while ensuring an exciting future for our sport."

Just four days after becoming Toyota's first world rally champion in 25 years, Ott Tanak will switch to Hyundai's WRC team next year.

While Hyundai is leading the teams championship to be decided in the final Rally Australia at Coffs Harbour on November 14-17, its lead driver – Belgian Thierry Neuville – has been unable to capture the drivers' title, with the best he could achieve this season a runner-up for the fifth straight year.

Hyundai team chief Andrea Adamo said Tanak was "an exceptional talent" who would be "a real asset" to the Korean manufacturer. Securing him was "a demonstration of Hyundai's continued commitment and ambitions in the WRC".

Tanak and his fellow Estonian co-driver Martin Jarveoja have signed two-year contracts with Hyundai.

Neuville will continue with the team, while Spaniard Dani Sordo and French nine-time world champion (but now part-timer) Sebastien Loeb will share a third Hyundai i20.

Citroen has cancelled its third entry at Rally Oz for Norwegian Mads Ostberg since the French world champion of the past six years, Sebastien Ogier, lost his chance of retaining his title at last weekend's Rally Spain.

Canadian James Hinchcliffe, who raced a Walkinshaw Andretti United Holden Commodore in last month's Bathurst 1000 with 2016 Indianapolis 500 victor Alex Rossi, has suddenly lost his IndyCar drive.

McLaren is re-entering Indy racing next year in association with Sam Schmidt's team as Arrow McLaren SP and has opted for 20-year-old Mexican Pato O'Ward and 22-year-old American Oliver Askew, who will be the youngest pairing in the North American open-wheeler series.

That has left 32-year-old Hinchcliffe without a seat for next year. He said he was shocked not to have retained a place with Schmidt.

"Obviously it's very late in the game, but my team is working flat out to try and salvage a full 2020 IndyCar campaign," Hinchcliffe said.

"We've been kicked down before and came back stronger. This is simply our next fight. Challenge accepted."

The FIA Motorsport Games – dubbed the Olympics of car racing – have been launched in spectacular fashion in Italy, with a parade and official opening ceremony in the heart of Rome.

Each of the 192 drivers who will represent 49 National Sporting Authorities (ASN) during the multi-disciplinary event were in attendance at Circo Massimo, an ancient chariot racing venue located just a few minutes from the Colosseum.

The parade through the centre of Rome featured 33 of the cars contesting the inaugural FIA Motorsport Games, with GT, touring car, Formula 4 and drifting machinery all represented. After starting at Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana and winding its way around some iconic landmarks, the parade concluded with the cars parked around the stage at Circo Massimo.

Proceedings began in earnest when a Roman chariot arrived in the arena carrying FIA Drivers' Commission president and Danish racing legend Tom Kristensen, the nine-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The competitors then entered the arena in the colours of their national flags and assembled on stage. They were joined by representatives from the city and the Vallelunga circuit, where track action will take place over the weekend.

Gold, silver and bronze medals will be presented to the top three finishers in each category.

"The FIA Motorsport Games is a brilliant idea," Kristensen said.

"It's great to bring different disciplines together and bring new people into motorsport, all at one venue. There will be a lot of interaction and crossovers between digital motorsport, karting slalom, drifting, touring cars and GTs.

"To have this all at one venue is important ... versatility is a value that's very important."

Australia is being represented in GT, Formula 4 and digital. Father and son Stephen and Brenton Groves will race a Porsche GT3-R; student Luis Leeds will compete in F4 after winning the last title in that category's short life as an Australian championship; and on the simulator will be eSports star Cody Nikola Latkovski, who - racing under the username 'Nik_Makozi' – is the most awarded sim driver in the Asia-Oceania region.

Picture courtesy of fia.com