(Motorsport-Total.com) – It is no longer a secret that Formula 1 and the world governing body FIA are indeed considering an adjustment to the current regulations to address the recent criticism from many drivers. However, there will be no changes (yet) before the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29.
Read more Spectator surge in Shanghai: 230.000 see Antonelli victory on-site
There are several reasons for this: The FIA and several teams believe that the overall product is currently not so problematic that immediate intervention is necessary. While they agree that individual elements – such as “lift-and-coast” in qualifying – could be improved, the entertainment value of the races is quite high.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is among those who share this view. “A qualifying in full-throttle mode would be nice,” he says. “But when you look at the fans and the excitement live on-site, the cheering during overtaking maneuvers and also the reactions on social media, it shows that the younger fans love the sport at the moment.”
“Of course, we can always work on improving it. But at the moment, all indicators and data suggest that people love it. And that’s why I spoke with Stefano Domenicali; he sees it the same way. So it’s the driving of the car that isn’t as pleasant for some,” the Austrian adds.
Mercedes team principal warns of “political intrigue”
However, the situation in China presented itself differently than in Australia: While the sprint on Saturday again offered so-called “yo-yo racing” with several overtaking maneuvers in a row, the race on Sunday in particular revealed a different dynamic.
The main reason for this is the different track layouts: The track in Melbourne was “bad for the drivers,” as McLaren team principal Andrea Stella explained, while in Shanghai it was much easier to regenerate energy and thus fewer unconventional tactics had to be used.
To get a more comprehensive picture of the situation, the FIA therefore considers it sensible to collect more data from different tracks. And due to the cancellation of the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, there is also enough time after the Japanese Grand Prix to discuss possible adjustments before the race in Miami (May 3).
Read more Audi analyzes the failures: Will the powertrain now become the key issue?
Williams team principal James Vowles already hinted that “four or five proposals” are on the table. The most noticeable changes concern deployment and energy recovery: Theoretically, super-clipping could be raised to a full 350 kW, while the proportion of electrical energy could be reduced.
However, some teams see the latter option as a drastic measure. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff also reminds that political motives of the competition could play a role in challenging Mercedes’ current advantages.
“We have a good car that is capable of winning at this point,” the Austrian emphasizes. “Let’s see what political intrigues come into play in the coming weeks and months. But at the moment, it’s a car you can win with.”
Lewis Hamilton speaks of “best racing”
Among the drivers themselves, there is a certain ambivalence after the race in China. “I think it’s the best racing I’ve ever experienced in Formula 1,” says Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton after the close duel against teammate Charles Leclerc, which probably provided the most excitement in the race.
“It felt like go-karting, back and forth all the time, and you could position your car really well, so that sometimes there was only a thin piece of paper between us,” adds the Briton, who secured his first podium finish for Ferrari on Sunday.
However, the competition sees the situation completely differently after the second race of the season. While Fernando Alonso spoke of a “battle of the batteries,” Max Verstappen renewed his comparison with the Nintendo classic “Mario Kart,” which had already caused smiles after the opener in Australia.
Read more Formula 1 live ticker: How big is the Mercedes lead really?