F1 drivers weigh in on new-look 2021 car

Formula 1 drivers have had their say on the sport’s regulation overhaul for the 2021 season, with overwhelmingly positive reactions being formed up and down the grid.

F1’s long-awaited technical, sporting and financial regulations for 2021 were presented on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix after being formally approved by The World Motor Sport Council.

One of the biggest features of the regulation changes will see more futuristic-looking cars introduced, with the aim of making following easier and to increase the likelihood of overtaking.

F1 revealed its new-look vision for 2021 during a press conference, and drivers were soon quizzed for their opinions once the media sessions got underway in the Austin paddock on Thursday.

Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton believes the sport is heading into an “interesting time” and says he wants to become a “pioneer” in F1’s new era post-2020.

“I always love a challenge,” Hamilton explained.

“This team [Mercedes] has shown that they are better prepared and in the best position to be able to react to rule changes, so I know the team is approaching the challenge in an exciting way.

“I think as drivers I think there were certain things we’ve heard, not necessarily all the decisions taken where what we thought was best, for example the cars are heavier and will get slower.

“But I think it’s going to be an interesting time. I’m planning to be here so naturally at some point next year my mindset will be to switch into 2021 and wanting to be the pioneer in that era.”

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel thinks the changes will be positive, but is keen to remain grounded until more evidence comes to light.

“I think the target that was set out was to make a step forward,” Vettel said.

“Now we have an idea, I think everyone was sorting for that day to come and now we need to try and understand what that idea means.

“Obviously on paper the ideas always look great but I think it will materialise a little bit more in the coming weeks. We’ll see.

“At the end of the day no matter how the cars look if the racing is better and for us it’s more fun then that’s a win.”

But Vettel says he would have liked to have seen F1 use a different engine, adding: “One that makes more sense and is probably more relevant to the road at first.

“If it happened to be a V12 which I doubt that would be even better. But we’ll see. Obviously the engine is quite clear, it’s the same that what we have now.

“For the cars, as I said, no matter how they look if they are fun to drive and allow us to follow closer etc. then that will be a success but time will tell.

“A picture is one thing but this is more for the next weeks, it will be interesting to see an idea from the teams how to interoperate the rules but we are not that far yet.”

Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc is a fan of the new car design and hopes it is successful in the aim of improving wheel-to-wheel racing.

“We’ll have to see how much each team develops their cars,” he explained. “I think it might change a little bit the look of the cars, probably a bit more aggressive, which is always nice.

“Then as a driver you always want to go as quick as possible, so I hope we regain a bit of performance without losing obviously the race-ability of the cars, which I think is probably the main problem at the moment.

“To not be able to follow close is quite frustrating, whenever you are in a race, you know you are quicker, but as soon as you get behind a car less than one second, you start to struggle to follow, overheat the tyres and things like this. So hopefully all these things will be improved.”

Kimi Raikkonen, whose contract with Alfa Romeo will see him remain in F1 until at least the end of the 2020 season, insisted the regulation changes will not have any bearing on his future.

“Much for the drivers and for everybody in Formula 1 and for the spectators let’s hope those are real figures and how it will work,” he said.

"I know they’ve put a lot of effort in but it’s the same thing: until we see the cars running and we actually start following other people, then we’ll see if it’s better.

“I’m sure it is going to be better but if it’s enough to make for closer racing, we don’t know. Let’s hope it works, because it’s better for everybody, for us drivers, for the people that work here and for the spectators.”

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen also backed the changes and said F1 drivers and fans alike will have to accept the compromise of having slower, heavier cars in the pursuit for better racing.

“For us it’s still early days but I think it doesn’t really matter how it looks, as long as it gives us better racing and we can follow better,” he said.

“We want to be within two or three seconds of what we are doing now definitely, if it’s going to be more like four or five it’s not what we want because then it feels a bit too slow.

“But this is just the start of it and I’m sure teams will come up with a little bit of a different look as well. Let’s just find out over time how it’s going to work out.

“I didn’t really enjoy driving the [’16] cars as much as I do now but of course you need to find a middle way in terms of following and anyway, I think throughout the season the cars will improve.”

Williams driver George Russell echoed Verstappen’s comments, adding he would sacrifice speed for more enjoyable racing and a closer field.

“From my side it doesn’t really matter how it looks or the speed of it as long as we have great racing, I think that’s what we all want,” he explained.

“The weight is heavier, which I think is not ideal for any of us. Even driving a Formula 3 car it was really fun to drive, it was much lighter than what these F1 cars are.

“As long it improves the racing and it brings the field together, that’s all I care about.”

And Haas team principal Guenther Steiner feels there are “no big surprises” with the outlined regulations.

“I think the aim is the right one,” he added. “They need to still achieve that you can better overtake and the field is closer together, and these are the regs.

“Like always, it is decided, now we need to work with them. You cannot keep saying this is wrong, this is wrong.

“You need to work on it, and then if there are small problems to overcome, we will overcome them, like you always do.”