Red Bull and other teams have expressed scepticism at Ferrari’s explanation for retaining their right to veto Formula 1 rule changes.
As part of the negotiations ongoing for 2021, the special privilege granted in the days of founder Enzo Ferrari has been targeted by Liberty Media as part of an effort to level the playing field.
However, team boss Mattia Binotto recently defended the veto suggesting it was a way for the Italian team to protect F1 from ideas which they felt threatened the sport’s DNA.
“You can say ‘OK, it’s a safety net for them representing the teams’, but ultimately they’re representing Ferrari,” Christian Horner said in Thursday’s press conference in Monaco.
“So probably if we’re going for a clean sheet of paper it would make sense for it not to be there and [have] the same rules for everyone.”
McLaren CEO Zak Brown agreed, suggesting it was impossible for Ferrari to represent every team on the grid.
“I think we all have varying interests,” he stated.
“Formula 1 themselves want to do what’s in the best of interest in the sport which I think is ultimately in the best interest of all of us and so we’re best having our own individual negotiations when and if that is appropriate.
“Ferrari brings a tremendous amount to the sport and that can be recognised in other ways.”
Also Read:
- Ferrari reaffirms opposition to standardised parts in 2021
- Brundle paints worrying picture of ‘little changing’ in F1 post-2021
Williams deputy boss Claire Williams offered a different perspective of the same argument.
“I have a problem in our sport anyway: I think it’s far too democratic,” she said.
“I’ve been quite open about that. I feel that F1 and FIA should take more ownership of the regulations. We run it too much in a collegiate way which is detrimental when we all have our own agendas.
“We need to be looking at this sport and its sustainability into the future and protecting it and protecting the true DNA of that. Doing that by committee can be very difficult.
“I really don’t feel that one team should have a right of veto. That makes no sense to me at all.”