In the wake of the current ultra-close title fight, Ross Brawn has hit back at suggestions that the 2022 Formula One rules revolution is unnecessary.
There have been some suggestions that F1’s current rules provide everything the sport needs, with little separating Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in the drivers’ standings and a more varied variety of winning drivers this year.
Furthermore, there are concerns that the makeover triggered by the new 2022 cars would result in the grid spreading out next year, with the better resourced teams being able to keep up with the modifications much quicker.
Brawn, on the other hand, has dismissed any suggestion that the 2022 rules are a mistake, saying that the aim of the rules is to address areas that are now lacking, such as the ability of cars to follow each other closer.
“This weekend I heard some comments around whether the 2022 regulation changes are needed since we’re having such a fantastic season,” Brawn wrote in his official F1 blog.
“I think that fails to understand the fact that, while the championship is thrilling this year, the cars still struggle to follow each other closely and create overtaking opportunities.
“While the 2022 rules won’t change the situation overnight I think they are a much better platform to improve the racing on the track and I’m sure that once the new rules have settled down, we will see some incredible races and championships in the future, with even more wheel to wheel action.”
Brawn believes that some changes made during the Liberty Media era, such as the cost cap, have contributed in the current title champion’s competitiveness.
“Both championships are poised to take us through to the end of the season and provide one of the most exciting ends to the year that we’ve had in a long time. F1 is blessed,” he said.
“Why are we having such a great season? When I ran teams, there was no silver bullet. It was a case of chipping away at everything to make incremental improvements. I believe it’s the same with the sport.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the cost cap and the rules changes that were implemented are having a positive impact on the closeness and intensity of the championship.
“There is no capacity for a team to pour massive resource into a championship and try and run away with it. The resources are now limited and the teams are also focused on next year’s car, which is requiring a lot of time and resource. And this is all contributing to a close championship.”
Brawn, on the other hand, believes that any restrictions in F1 must still allow the best teams and drivers to triumph, rather than simply turning the race into a lottery.
“We still want a meritocracy,” he claimed. “We still want the best team to win. But we don’t want them to win by a country mile simply because they’ve got a bigger budget than anyone else. It’s pleasing to see the way things are developing.
“Neither team is running away with this championship in what is turning into a battle for the ages.”
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