Weight rule change and rookie category introduced for 2020
Two changes for the 2020 season of the World Touring Car Cup were announced during the FIA Motorsport Council meeting in Paris, including new compensation weight rules and the introduction of a rookie category.
The contract for Eurosport Events as promoters of the WTCR has also been extended until the 2022 season.
“I am very pleased with the development of the partnership for the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup and look forward to the continued development of Touring Car racing,” said Jean Todt, president of the FIA.
The compensation weights will from the 2020 season only be calculated on the qualifying laps unlike this season when the lap times from the races also are included.
Furthermore, the calculations will be made without the effect of the ballast being taken into consideration. A correction based on the ballast carried in the previous round will instead be made.
The changes have been made in order to avoid that teams instruct drivers to set slower lap times during the races to avoid getting more compensation weight.
“When you have a successful product like we do with WTCR, it’s important to avoid making wholesale changes, only adjustments to further improve the show,” said Francois Ribeiro, head of Eurosport Events.
“Including qualifying lap times only in the compensation weight calculations is the best possible decision for WTCR and the fans watching the racing. For too long we’ve seen engineers on the pit wall focusing on lap-time management and scratching their heads over their live radio communication with drivers. I am thankful to the FIA for sharing this opinion.”
The rookie category will include drivers below the age of 23 who have driven no more than three WTCR race weekends, this to recognise the achievements of young drivers in the WTCR.
“Right from the start of WTCR, one of our continued aims has been to attract young guns to take on established professionals, which will be the case well into the future,” said Ribeiro.
“There’s an increasing number of young talents coming through the ranks in touring car racing and it’s important WTCR is accessible for the most talented of them.”
The calendar for the 2020 season was also unveiled during the WMSC.
