T-wings and shark fin engine covers to be banned from F1 in 2018

T-wings and shark fin engine covers are set to be outlawed in 2018 following a meeting of the F1 Strategy Group and the F1 Commission in Paris.

The appendages have proved unpopular with fans for cosmetic reasons this season, while there have also been safety concerns following a number of t-wings falling from cars on track.

Red Bull estimated £50,000 worth of damage was caused when Max Verstappen ran over the t-wing which fell off Valtteri Bottas' Mercedes in Bahrain.

Ted and Pat are at the Skypad to analyse Mercedes' approach to 2017 Ted and Pat are at the Skypad to analyse Mercedes' approach to 2017

The FIA will also tighten up regulations surrounding engine oil, amid rumours some teams are using excess lubricant to enhance their engine performance. The use of a different specification of oil between qualifying and the race will be outlawed, preventing a high-performance fluid being used on Saturday and a more durable one on Sunday.

Driver names and numbers will also have to be made clearer for the fans from the Spanish GP onwards.

Furthermore, all teams will now be able to send representatives to F1 Strategy Group meetings. Previously only Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull and Williams had a permanent presence, with the next best placed team from the previous season also given a spot, currently Force India.

Ted and Pat are at the SkyPad to analyse Ferrari’s approach Ted and Pat are at the SkyPad to analyse Ferrari’s approach

The statement in full from the FIA on the next round of proposed changes for F1:

'A constructive meeting of the F1 Strategy Group and F1 Commission took place today (25 April) in Paris, with all members in attendance including FIA President Jean Todt and, for the first time, Chase Carey, CEO of Formula One Group.

Below is a summary of what was discussed:

Sporting and technical changes

There have been some corrections and additions to the technical and sporting regulations for 2018, which will now be passed to the World Motor Sport Council for approval:

A number of more integrated solutions for additional frontal protection have been studied, and the decision has been taken to give priority to the transparent 'shield' family of systems. The FIA aims to carry out track tests of this system during this season in preparation for implementation in 2018

Changes in the regulation boxes around the engine cover have been made so that designs incorporating the 't-wing' and 'shark fin' will be strictly limited

Measures will be taken to ensure that oil will not be used as fuel. In addition, only one specification of oil may be used for any given power unit during an event

Pirelli will be allowed to develop 2018 wet weather tyre compounds using previous specifications of cars and wheel dimensions

In the event of a red flag period during a race, the race will be resumed from a standing start

Driver names and numbers

Information was given to the teams that, from Barcelona (12-14 May 2017) onwards, the sporting regulations will be strictly enforced to ensure that visibility of drivers' names and numbers on the cars will be clearer.

Strategy Group

Representatives from the non-member teams will now be invited to meetings of the F1 Strategy Group to have access to the discussions, demonstrating the effective commitment of both the FIA and the Commercial Rights Holder to improve transparency in the sport.'