Formula 1 motorsport director Ross Brawn has hit back at critics of his proposed regulation changes for 2021.
On Saturday, it emerged only four of the current 10 teams are in favour of the new design rules being developed, with the opposition unsurprisingly being led by the top three teams, Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.
Before that though, Brawn offered a strong defence of his vision bringing up perhaps the most important stat which proves why F1 needs to change.
“I’m finishing writing the new rules of Formula 1,” he said in an interview with La Stampa.
“From 2017, do you have any idea how many drivers took the podium, except for Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull? Only 3 out of 168. Too little.
“We want tight races in which the other teams also have a chance. It’s not a communist version of F1, you really need a Leicester [City] that can win at least one race, if not the championship.”
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His reference was to the Premier League side which shocked football by taking the title in 2016, something that is almost unheard of in F1, with his own team, Brawn GP, in 2009 a rare example.
The biggest complaint from those top teams, however, is that suggested limitations on development are against the ethos of F1 but again, the Briton had a response.
“I will answer you with some questions: today would you know how to distinguish one machine from another if we remove livery and number?,” he asked.
“Maybe there will be fewer differences, but are we sure it’s the shape of the rear wing flaps to make a Grand Prix fun? Wouldn’t it be better for the public not to know by Friday who will be on the podium?”
Another significant change, which does have support, is the implementation of a $175m budget cap, something that will slash the current spending of the top teams.
“We must ensure the long-term survival of the teams, even the largest ones, and a budget of $400m is difficult to justify,” he stated.
Brawn then concluded by revealing changes are coming to the Grand Prix weekend format as F1 looks to expand potentially to a 25-race calendar.
“Yes, the intention is to grow some more,” he said.
“Please note that from 2021 the race weekend will be distributed over three days as Thursday activities will be moved to Friday. We want every Grand Prix to be a sort of Super Bowl for the nation hosting the event”.