The FIA has called an emergency meeting with all Formula 1 teams for Saturday in Bahrain to seek solutions which will increase overtaking in 2019.
A lack of action at the season-opener two weeks in Australia with just three overtakes after the first lap, has raised concerns that the ever-more complex car designs are making it even harder for drivers to follow closely and attempt a pass.
Max Verstappen went as far as to call the race “worthless” and though the track at Sakhir is more suited to passing, the DRS zone on the main straight has been extended by 100m to try and address the problem.
Now though, the governing body wants concrete steps to be put in place for next year and with any changes needed to be agreed unanimously before April 30, that has led to this hastily arranged gathering.
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According to Motorsport.com two ideas are set to be discussed including increasing the size of the gap in the rear wing when DRS is active and changes to the front wings to try and reduce their sensitivity to the turbulent air from in front.
This comes as Liberty Media will reveal their proposals for 2021 today (Friday) with a new car design developed by managing director of motorsport Ross Brawn with the aim of allowing for closer racing.
Commenting on the topic on Thursday, Haas driver Kevin Magnussen called on the sport’s bosses to ignore any advice given by drivers as it cannot be trusted.
“Liberty should just do their own research and not listen to the drivers because the drivers will just say what’s in their best interests,” said the Dane.
“I enjoy [racing] most when I win. I don’t care about the racing – if I win, that’s it. All the drivers, their feedback will be in their own best interests. None of us drivers care about making the show better, we want the best for ourselves.”
Being F1, nothing is likely to be agreed on Saturday, but with the Chinese race a week later, it does give some time for negotiations and a solution to be put in place.
