Alisson: 2021 regs have ‘worthy objectives’, difficult to realise

Mercedes Formula 1 technical chief James Allison says that while the revised design regulations for 2021 have “very worthy objectives behind them”, he believes they will be hard to fully realise.

F1 unveiled its complete set of new regulations for the 2021 season at the United States Grand Prix two months ago, laying out new sporting, financial and technical frameworks for the team to work within.

The technical regulations are a radical diversion from the current ruleset, introducing new front and rear wing designs and underbody aerodynamics in a bid to try and improve the on-track spectacle by making it easier for cars to follow and race each other.

Allison was cautious about the real change the new regulations would bring to F1, but said Mercedes was relishing the chance to get its teeth into designing its first 2021-spec car.

“They have very worthy objectives behind them, but very difficult objectives to actually realise,” Allison said of the new rules.

“The proof of that pudding will be in the eating. We’ll find out in 2021 how successful the overall package is in delivering on those very worthy but very difficult goals.

“That doesn’t really, at this point, interest a team any longer. A team just has the regulations in their hands and you’d be a weird F1 engineer if you weren’t excited by a fistful of new regulations to digest, to look for an opportunity within and go off to try and make the fastest car you can from them.

“For us, probably the work of the last years - and particularly the climax of the last few weeks and months – has been a bit painful.

“But we are at the point now where it is the fun bit. You’ve got the pamphlet in your hand and you set to work with it.”