F1 must balance out ‘Darwinian’ nature with 2021 rules

Formula 1 must balance out its “Darwinian” nature in its bid to create greater competition among teams with the 2021 rules shake-up, according to Mercedes technical chief James Allison.

Negotiations are continuing between F1 officials and teams about how the future landscape of the sport will look post-2020, with the full technical regulations for 2021 set to be published at the end of October.

Teams have been provided with an initial blueprint of the impending major design change to F1 cars, as well as plans to reduce costs and level out the playing field, though concerns remain with teams also needing to focus development on their 2020 challengers.

“The discussions about what the regulations are still ongoing, so you don’t want to get into too much detail, but the concerns do all fall in the striking the right balance between the desire of a team to be able to produce performance by good design, by good engineering and the desire of the sport to equalise out things,” Allison said.

“The sport is, to a degree, a Darwinian competition and that’s part of its spice and there needs to be a good balance struck between the desire of the individual teams to fight for their best opportunities and the desire maybe of the owners to level everything our and have it that sort of any team on any day could win.”

Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies is wary there could be “a lot of unintended consequences” with the magnitude of changes proposed.

“We are completely in favour of things that could reduce cost, financial regulations and budget cap and so on,” Mekies explained.

“We are a bit more nervous and cautious for what it means for Formula 1 when it comes to getting the cars to look alike or getting the cars to be having a lot more standard parts.

“That’s basically where the difference lies. We could also add that, ironically, to get ready for these 2021 regulations has actually a significant cost implication when it comes to the R&D work that needs to be done.”

Red Bull chief engineer Paul Monaghan said the regulation overhaul will prove a “big challenge”, adding: “We have concerns over the draft regulations.

“I think it would inappropriate to share them as individual items in this forum. As has been discussed, the negotiation is ongoing and if don’t participate we can’t influence it.

“If we have concerns, we will raise them. If they are the same as Ferrari’s then it probably adds to the argument. But yes, there are concerns as to the nature of the rules and the drafting thereof.”