F1 Needs To Close The Gap

While the Mexican Grand Prix provided an interesting strategic battle in terms of best judging the
unexpected behaviour of the hard tyre, there was arguably perhaps more of a show off track than on
it.

Over 345,000 spectators turned up over the weekend, the podium ceremony was truly spectacular –
with the winning car and driver coming up from below surrounded by smoke and fireworks – and as
ever, the atmosphere on Sunday was a real fiesta, or should that be F1ESTA! to borrow the slogan of
the race.

It’s a shame that there was not much of a fight on track, especially among the leaders, as everything
was in place to deliver an exciting fight, revolving particularly around the potential duel between
Mercedes and Ferrari on a track where overtaking is very possible. However, once again we saw that
when cars and drivers are evenly matched, then it becomes really hard to not only overtake but to
even get close to the car in front. Getting too close for a few laps could mean ruining your tyres,
causing drivers to back off and let them recover before making another brief assault.

This is nothing new, but it confirms once again that there is a need for a change in the regulations to
enable cars to fight at close quarters. Change is potentially now not far off, at least on paper, given
that in a few days, the FIA World Motor Sport Council will rule on the regulation package for 2021,
which we presented along with the FIA.

The new aero configuration has been developed to reduce the impact of following another car.
Overtakes and battles are easy when there is 1-2 seconds lap time difference, but when there is a
smaller difference there is no chance. Suggestions we should delay the introduction are frustrating
because the situation gets even worse each year with the cars we have now.

How many opportunities have we lost to see close battles? On Sunday there weren’t many, despite
the track characteristics and the introduction of an additional third DRS zone. If even these
attributes do not produce closer racing, it’s time we reacted. It isn’t about change for the sake of it,
we have put a massive effort into developing these new regulations in the long-term interests of the
sport.