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2021 regulations a 'starting point' - Toto Wolff

Published on 10 Nov 2019 09:48
2
By: Dieter Rencken & Harry Mattocks

Toto Wolff has said that his Mercedes team are taking the 2021 regulations as a 'starting point' as he believes that further changes will be made.

According to the FIA, the 2021 Formula 1 cars will have a 'radical new design philosophy', which includes redesigned bodywork, simplified front wings, bigger rear wings, increased underbody aerodynamics, wheel wake control devices, simplified suspension and low-profile 18-inch tyres.

The new regulations have been designed with two main purposes: to reduce the cost of competing in the sport and to make it easier for drivers to follow the car in front.

This will in theory lead to closer racing as teams will have the same amount of money to spend and at the same time the driveability of the cars will be improved.

When asked whether he was surprised that Ferrari did not use their veto to block the incoming rule changes, Wolff replied: "Expressing the veto is a very, very strong move and it was always clear that Ferrari would be very sensible with that power that’s been given to them.

"We all participated in the rule-making. Ferrari, Red Bull, ourselves and some others believe that maybe the 2021 regulations de-tune what is the pinnacle of motor racing a little bit in terms of technology.

"I’m confident that together with the FIA in the next months we’re going to, when it comes down to the detail, we’re going come up with some good regulations. It’s a starting point.

"For us, we take it is a as challenge. It’s a very, very different car in 2021 and now it’s time to look ahead and do the best possible job."

F1 News

Replies (2)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
" it was always clear that Ferrari would be very sensible with that power that’s been given to them." Oh Toto, you really are a funny guy, you! :3 Wolff's jokes aside: It's probably not that they didn't want to use it, it's more that they probably couldn't. They are already infamous for having it, and haven't always been popular when they have used it, so using it now would turn away precious allies and fans, it'd be a PR nightmare for them. They simply cannot afford using it as it stands. And that's good.
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- Nov 10 2019 - 19:54
ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475
I think Toto is right about what the 2021 regulations will do, but I think it's worth a try anyway. But we do need above all better governance. Change shouldn't be this difficult. I despise Bernie Ecclestone, but I actually agree that the regulations shouldn't be made in a democratic fashion. Teams can be for or against, but the proposal shouldn't be a shit show with private teams motivated by their own purposes. I don't blame them, and that's why the system should be different. If teams don't like it they can leave. I think that's the ultimate veto power, threatening to leave. That will always work for Ferrari, but that veto would actually be legitimate. Not some bullshit formal veto power that some arsehole granted them
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- Nov 11 2019 - 04:19