F1 race weekend could be set for 'innovative changes'

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F1 race weekends could follow a different format in 2016 after a meeting of the Strategy Group proposed "several exciting and innovative changes".

The Strategy Group met at Biggin Hill on Wednesday, with representatives from Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, Williams, McLaren and Force India joining the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone in discussing future changes to the sport. With increased restrictions on driver aids agreed upon for implementation this season, there were also a number of other topics discussed with a view to change in 2016.

One area of focus is the race weekend itself, with the FIA announcing: "Several exciting and innovative changes to the qualifying and race weekend formats have also been discussed and are being evaluated by FIA and FOM for a 2016 introduction."

2016 is also set to see an "increased freedom of choice for tyre compounds", though the detail of such a change is yet to be agreed upon with tyre supplier Pirelli.

The FIA and FOM will also evaluate the power unit regulations as the governing body looks to impose a cost cap on the V6 turbos for customer teams. Both parties will also look in to an increase in race fuel allowance as well as undertaking a "full review of the token system".

Any proposed changes to the regulations for 2016 will need to receive unanimous approval from all of the teams via the F1 Commission, with next week's World Motor Sport Council in Mexico City able to then adopt the changes.

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