Vettel: Politics stopping progress and fans are losing out
Sebastian Vettel feels the political standoff between the powerhouses in Formula 1 means the fans are the biggest losers and the Ferrari driver offers a solution to the lack of overtaking seen at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The four-time F1 world champion shares a popular view that the ongoing politics behind the scenes is having an effect on the progress made on track, which Vettel feels is a reoccurring problem demonstrated with the lack of overtaking caused by the dependence on aerodynamics.
"I think on paper this [Interlagos] is one of the easiest tracks to overtake," Vettel said. "Sure, if you're behind you always want the DRS zone to be longer because artificially it helps you to get closer. Naturally if you are only a tenth or two quicker then it's very difficult to pass - whereas if you're a second quicker it becomes easier.
"I think in general what we need to follow another car closer in medium speed, high speed, slow speed corners is more mechanical grip. So shift the percentage between aero - mechanical more towards more mechanical."
The German driver feels a relatively simple solution is possible which could be implemented within the 2017 regulation changes but is concerned it is being held up by the clashes of interest between those who control the sport; including the FIA and the F1 Strategy Group.
"I think we need better tyres that allow us to go quicker," Vettel explained. "Drivers want to be quicker. So, I think the solution is very simple. Unfortunately the sport is very political with different interests from different people. I think it's fair enough to give whoever tyre manufacturer, in this case Pirelli, the chance to improve their tyres - but we need to run.
"But since the responsible people, the teams, whoever, can't agree on something, it will be difficult to make progress."
Vettel warns if it carries on the fans will continue to suffer and is keen for faster racing to bring the excitement back into F1.
"Unfortunately the people who literally are paying for that are sitting on the grandstands. So, we would love to go quicker," he said. "I think they would love us to go quicker and have more excitement but bottom line is, if you look ten years ago, 20 years ago, it wasn't like there was a lot more overtaking in the race."
