Formula 1’s governing body does not agreement from teams to impose changes to the rules for the 2021 season.

Approval from the Strategy Group and F1 Commission is needed to ratify rule changes for seasons prior to 2021. But as F1’s commercial agreements will expire at the end of 2020, that governance structure does not apply to subsequent seasons.

Therefore the FIA can impose changes for 2021 without the approval of teams. This includes the switch to 18-inch wheels, as FIA race director Charlie Whiting confirmed when asked by RaceFans.

“That’s part of the regulation package for 2021,” Whiting confirmed. “It doesn’t have to go through the Formula One commission because it’s for 2021.”

Asked whether that means the FIA has a “free hand” when it comes to determining F1’s future rules, Whiting said: “We have – there’s no need for regulations to go through the Strategy Group because that governance expires. We don’t have a new one yet.”

However Whiting believes the introduction of the 18-inch wheel format is largely supported by the teams. “I think everyone’s agreed, and the teams have been aware for some time, that the proposal is to go to 18-inch wheels.

“So I don’t think there’s any surprises there and I don’t think there are any objectors. It’s part of the package that we are putting together with FOM.

“The separate matter of whether or not it needs to go to the F1 Commission, it doesn’t, strictly speaking, because there is no government beyond 2020. There probably will be a Formula One commission but it might be a different one.”

Until a post-2020 governance structure is put in place the power to approve rules for 2021 and beyond will rest with the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.

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2018 F1 season