Brawn: Lack of fights in Mexico shows need for F1 rule changes

Formula 1 motorsport boss Ross Brawn believes the lack of on-track fights witnessed during the Mexican Grand Prix highlighted the need for regulation changes in 2021.

The sport’s officials are currently in negotiations with F1’s 10 teams to form the next set of rules scheduled for the 2021 season, with the deadline fast-approaching.

Sunday’s 71-lap race in Mexico featured little wheel-to-wheel action between the front-runners, despite an exciting climax that saw the top four drivers running on varying strategies.

Despite having much fresher tyres, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was ultimately unable to challenge Lewis Hamilton as the Mercedes driver racked up his 10th victory of the campaign and edge closer to sealing his sixth driver’s world title.

“It’s a shame that there was not much of a fight on track, especially among the leaders, as everything was in place to deliver an exciting fight, revolving particularly around the potential duel between Mercedes and Ferrari on a track where overtaking is very possible,” Brawn said.

“However, once again we saw that when cars and drivers are evenly matched, then it becomes really hard to not only overtake but to even get close to the car in front.

“Getting too close for a few laps could mean ruining your tyres, causing drivers to back off and let them recover before making another brief assault.

“This is nothing new, but it confirms once again that there is a need for a change in the regulations to enable cars to fight at close quarters.

“Change is potentially now not far off, at least on paper, given that in a few days, the FIA World Motor Sport Council will rule on the regulation package for 2021, which we presented along with the FIA.”

Brawn admitted he has found suggestions from some teams that the proposed regulation overhaul should be delayed until 2022 frustrating, as he feels the situation will only continue to worsen if changes are not made.

“The new aero configuration has been developed to reduce the impact of following another car,” he explained.

“Overtakes and battles are easy when there is 1-2 seconds lap time difference, but when there is a smaller difference there is no chance.

“Suggestions we should delay the introduction are frustrating because the situation gets even worse each year with the cars we have now.

“How many opportunities have we lost to see close battles? On Sunday there weren’t many, despite the track characteristics and the introduction of an additional third DRS zone.

“If even these attributes do not produce closer racing, it’s time we reacted. It isn’t about change for the sake of it, we have put a massive effort into developing these new regulations in the long-term interests of the sport.”