Formula 1 weight limits to be increased in 2015

New rules are to be introduced into Formula 1 in an attempt to make racing fairer for heavier drivers.

From 2015, the minimum combined weight of car and driver will be raised by 10kg to 701kg.

Teams are struggling to keep their cars' weight down for the coming season as a result of heavier turbo engines, so larger drivers may be at a disadvantage.

Weight is a performance issue in F1 as 10kg equates to about 0.3secs per lap.

A move to bring the rule in for the 2014 season was blocked last year by some teams.

F1 2014 rule changes

Meanwhile, the FIA also reiterated that it would impose some form of cost control in F1 in 2015.

After a meeting between the FIA, commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone and all the teams, a statement said "it was unanimously agreed that cost reduction and cost control regulations" would be agreed by June 2014, for introduction in 2015.

Also for 2015, tyre heating devices will be banned and teams will have to have a gradual slope from the front of the chassis to the rear.

This last point is a response to some teams designing their 2014 cars with a vertical 'step' just after the front of the chassis.

This is to comply with rules that dictate the front bulkhead must be 525mm above the floor of the car and the front of the cockpit 625mm high, but which define no minimum distance over which that height change must take place.

The 2014 season will see the introduction of a five-second time penalty for minor disciplinary offences, which unlike other penalties can be served on a visit to the pits for another reason.

A 1kg allowance will also be made for the use of heavier tyres this season.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/25870646