Renault executive director Marcin Budkowski fears the top three teams will use 2020 to get a head start on the 2021 regulations.
Formula 1 is heading into the final few weeks to reach an agreement on the new rules for the year after next in order to give teams time to prepare.
A key change is the introduction of a new budget cap with the aim of levelling the financial playing field, however, with that not being enforced until 2021, Budkowski thinks Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull will seize the opportunity to stay ahead.
“What’s too bad is that the budget cap won’t be implemented until the start of the 2021 season,” he was quoted by RaceFans. “However, the 2021 cars will go into development this year and next, with no budget cap applied.
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“That means there’s a good chance the big teams will be able to keep their lead and reduce the competitiveness, right from the very start.”
Racing Point’s Sergio Perez also voiced his concern that too much change will still favour the teams with the most resources.
“The more we change, the more advantage that we give to the bigger teams to create the gap that we are all worried about,” he told Fox Sports.
“We will see what we are able to bring as a sport for 2021.”
Renault Sport president Jerome Stoll is more optimistic, however, and does think ultimately the budget cap will do as hoped and close the F1 grid up.
“Lots of other teams will need to restructure because they’re currently way above that,” he said. “And so, that will let us be more competitive with the big teams.”
“Obviously, the transition will be hard, but we think it’s worth it to create more equality between the teams,” Stoll added. “Mercedes is winning everything, and that bores everyone.”
