Drivers will receive grid penalties if they use too many sets of brake discs and pads from the 2021 F1 season.

The new sporting regulations, published for the first time today, sets a limit on how many sets of front and rear pads each driver may use during a season. The limit is equal to the number of races in a season, which would allow drivers to use one new set of brake discs and pads per race.

If they exceed that limit, however, they will be given a three-place grid penalty for the first infraction, and a two-place grid penalty for any subsequent infractions in a season.

Front and rear sets of discs and pads are counted separately. Therefore if a driver exceeded the limit for their front and rear brakes at the same race they would incur a six-place grid penalty.

The sport had planned to introduce a standard brakes supplier in 2021, and the FIA had issued a tender for the contract. However this plan has now been postponed until 2023.

Grid penalties for gearbox changes have been revised. Drivers will now have three sets of gearbox cases and cassettes and four sets of gearbox drivelines, gear change components and auxiliary components for a 22-race season. The latter will rise to five races for a 24-race season. If these limits are exceeded, a driver will receive a five-place grid penalty for the first infraction and any subsequent infractions.

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2021 F1 season