UIM F2 Rules: Seven Changes Face Council Vote Friday

Long lap rules introduction

The Formulae Committee and national authorities have tabled three linked proposals to introduce long lap penalties in Formula 2, mirroring procedures already used in GT and F4. As proposed, a new yellow-and-orange striped flag (for F2 only) would signal a long lap penalty under Circuit Rule 304.02, while Circuit Rule 312.15 would be amended to explicitly include F2 long lap usage.

The Lithuanian proposal (Rule 312.15) places F2 under the existing long lap framework and requires a mandatory long lap to be completed within a heat when the penalty is applied. The long lap is created by adding buoys to extend a lap by at least 200 metres.

The F2‑specific rule (F2 8.3) adds operational restrictions: the long lap cannot be taken during the first full lap after the start, nor under yellow flag conditions. If a yellow flag occurs while a driver is completing the long lap, the driver must stop and return to their previous lap position and may only resume after the green flag. There is no speed restriction inside the long lap area. Failure to complete a mandatory long lap results in a one‑lap deduction from the final classification. The long lap mechanism is intended to replace some stop‑and‑go penalties with an on‑water sanction that preserves race flow and safety.

Championship rules clarification

The Formulae Committee proposes clarifying the parallel‑championship framework introduced for 2025. Under the amendment (F2 10.1), a single F2 World Championship will be recognised unless both engine categories (Mercury SST200 and Mercury Racing 250 APX) each register at least five boats; only if each reaches that five‑boat threshold may two parallel world titles be awarded. Both engine options remain eligible under the clarified rule.

Penalties overhaul

Proposal F2 14 revises many entries in the penalties table, including more explicit wording and new automatic penalties:

• Airbag activation: Any activation during time trials or free practice will trigger a black flag with race number fixed — the driver must return immediately to the pits. During a race, activation leads to a black flag with disqualification (DSQ).
• Lost or loose components (pickle, nose cone, canopy, engine cover or rear cowling): the driver receives a black flag and has a three‑lap maximum to exit the course. Laps completed after the initial three will not be counted for the final result.
• Jump start: Starting engines or leaving the jetty while the red light displays, or rotating engines with ignition off before lights change, carries a one‑lap penalty. Where circuits have approved long lap designs, the yellow/orange flag may be used as an alternative, the offending driver must complete the long lap within three laps or later laps will be excluded from their result.

European Championship

The Formulae Committee makes proposals for the UIM F2 European Championship made up of four heats, with the best three results counting toward the final classification. The series would follow Rule 317 points scoring and UIM would supply medals for the top three finishers.

Key points:

• Heats: 4 heats, best 3 to count. Each heat 20–30 km in length.
• Intervals: Minimum one‑hour interval between heats involving the same driver.
• Foreign drivers: Travel and start money payable after successful completion of official practice, time trials, qualifying or racing with nationality determined by international licence or boat flag.
• Restarts: If a race is stopped before the leader completes 70% of required laps, it must be restarted. Grid positions for the restart are set by the order at the end of the lap prior to the stoppage. There shall be only one restart; the number of laps completed plus one lap per restart will be deducted from the restarted race distance. Drivers judged responsible for causing a stoppage cannot score or restart unless they submit a protest (see protest procedure).
• Protests: An initial verbal protest must be followed by a written protest. Failure to lodge a written protest after the verbal protest may result in disqualification from the event.

Technical specifications (SST200 cowlings)

The SST200 engine cowling proposal (F2 10.3) allows manufacturers freedom on cowl design while preserving Mercury Racing’s required overall shape and air intake layout. The top cowling must have no connection to the powerhead. Factory Mercury logos are mandatory, but graphics colours may be changed subject to homologation file 00501. The proposal was prepared with advice from COMINTECH.

Proposal summary table