There are mixed messages from top Formula 1 teams, ahead of a crucial day in deciding the sport’s future for 2021 on Wednesday.
Only two weeks remain until the final deadline to agree on a set of regulations for the year after next and last weekend, it was revealed just how much F1 bosses are struggling to find common ground.
According to the BBC, only four of the current 10 teams were in favour of the technical regulations being proposed, which will see all new cars introduced with greater limits on development.
Leading the opposition to those changes were the top three teams, Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull, but asked about the situation in Suzuka, Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto was calm.
“2021, there will be a meeting with the FIA and F1 next week on the 16th which I think will be very important because that’s the last one altogether before the end of the month when there will be a new vote,” he revealed.
“I think there are still a lot of open points and discussions are still ongoing so how will be the conclusion of all these discussions, it is very difficult to say at the moment.
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“There are various interests between teams, between the teams and F1 and the teams and the FIA, but certainly, as Ferrari, we are intending to play our role.
“We believe as Ferrari because of what Ferrari represents for F1, we’ve got a voice, an important voice in the discussions but no doubt that there’s still a lot of points to be addressed.”
The Italian team also holds a unique position in having veto power to essentially block any changes they don’t want to be introduced, but Binotto played down having to reach that extreme.
“In terms of the veto, as I said I think last time in Sochi that will really be a shame [to use it],” he said.
“I don’t think that should be the case at all. I think we’ve got a good and open discussion with the stakeholders at the moment and I’m as well somehow hopeful that we can find the right compromise at the end.”
Ironically, F1’s deadline for 2021 coincides with the UK’s current deadline to reach a Brexit deal with the EU before crashing out, and Red Bull boss Christian Horner was quick to compare the two situations.
“I think Boris Johnson is closer to a [Brexit] deal than we are [for 2021],” he stated.
“It’s moving in the right direction slowly. There were some constructive talks over the course of the weekend and we have got the meeting on Wednesday [in Paris].
“That’s another crunch meeting, but generally things are converging and ground is being given on both sides.
“Hopefully by the end of the month, we can reach a set of sensible regulations.”