Official: FIA Approves a 19-Race Calendar and a Drivers’ Commission

The first meeting of the World Motor Sport Council took place today in Geneva, in the Swiss offices of the FIA. As a reminder, this council is an institution of the FIA chaired by Jean Todt, and its 26 members are chosen for 4 years by the FIA General Assembly. It is the most powerful decision-making body of the FIA and generally meets three or four times a year to rule on proposals from the various FIA Commissions, beyond the strict framework of F1. This council also includes other well-known names, such as Vijay Mallya, representing India, or Bernie Ecclestone, in his capacity as holder of F1 commercial rights.

Regarding Formula 1, the only topic addressed is the calendar, whose creation by the FOM was not easy after the financial issues of the Nürburgring, which finally found a positive outcome, and the withdrawal of the Grand Prix initially planned in New York this year, with its debut postponed to next year. Despite possibilities in France, Turkey, or Austria, Bernie Ecclestone ultimately decided against a twentieth Grand Prix. Therefore, a 19-race calendar – see below – was proposed by the FOM and approved today at this meeting.

Furthermore, the Council has also finalized the composition of the brand-new Drivers’ Commission. It will be chaired by Emerson Fittipaldi, with Sébastien Loeb serving as Vice-President. The drivers representing single-seater formulas will be Nigel Mansell, Karun Chandhok, and Maria de Villota, which will be an opportunity for her to make her voice heard following her accident during straight-line private testing. GT, Endurance, and Touring will be represented by Emanuele Pirro, Yvan Muller, and Adrián Fernández – who is also the manager of Sergio Pérez. Nasser Al Attiyah, Marcus Grönholm, and Daniel Elena will be there to advocate for drivers and co-drivers involved in Rally and Rally-Raid. Other disciplines are also allotted three seats, assigned to Kenneth Hansen – 12-time European Rallycross Champion -, Danilo Rossi – triple World Karting Champion -, and Keiko Ihara – currently racing in WEC in LMP2 -, who will therefore be the second woman on the Commission.

Announced at the FIA General Assembly on December 12 and included in the federation’s statutes on January 1, this Commission is an organization meant to represent drivers to other FIA institutions. The objective of the Commission is to ensure that the drivers’ voices are heard within the FIA, to examine matters concerning drivers and the sport, and to advise the FIA on all these subjects, represent the rights and interests of the drivers, and make recommendations accordingly, stated the report of this Assembly. The creation of this Commission follows the provisional recognition of the FIA by the International Olympic Committee, for whom this commission was necessary for definitive recognition, which should follow shortly.

Official Calendar of the Formula 1 World Championship: