Romain Grosjean expects Formula 1 race wins to only be shared between the top three teams until new regulations come in 2021.
Kimi Raikkonen’s victory for the then-Lotus outfit at the 2013 Australian Grand Prix marks the last time a non-Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull took the chequered flag.
And since the V6 hybrid era began in 2014, only four midfield teams, McLaren, Force India, Williams and Lotus, have stood on an F1 podium.
“I think Formula 1 needs to get better at having more chances to win races,” the Haas driver was quoted by GPFans.com.
“I don’t think that’s going to be before 2021. If you look at the midfield race last year was quite exciting, a lot of changing of orders, and then there’s another race at the front. Ideally, you would like as many teams as possible to be fighting for a win.
“I think people like Gene [Haas] would like to see that as well.”
The reason why Grosjean is more hopeful about 2021 is the plan by owners Liberty Media to address the financial inequality F1 currently has through a budget cap and more equal revenue distribution.
Also Read:
- Red Bull align with Mercedes & Ferrari over 2021 budget cap talks
- Liberty take tougher stance with teams over 2021 budget cap
- McLaren tell Liberty: Ignore top team opposition to 2021 plans
In the meantime though, the Frenchman admits the frustration of fighting for ‘best of the rest’ will continue as the top three spend their way to success.
“What’s the point of coming just to be always behind the same ones?” he bemoaned. “But at the minute I think it’s going to be the same thing.
“Ferrari’s announcing that they’re going to increase their budget for the year. Red Bull is saying that they spent a lot of money on the front wing. Mercedes has been working really hard as well.
“Don’t get me wrong, we haven’t been sleeping, but I think as long as there’s going to be so different resources between teams there’s always going to be a difference of development.”