Mercedes want stability, not change, for 2021 rules

Toto Wolff has stressed the importance of having “stability” within Formula 1 rulings rather than widespread changes, as he reveals details of a recent meeting with F1 dignitaries with regards to proposed 2021 regulations.

In two years the sport is set to be completely revamped with budget caps introduced for every team, as well as the standardisation of engine parts.

It is the latter which has proved to be most polarising among the teams, particularly with regards to the evolution of car aerodynamics.

Wolff is of the opinion that no rules should be changed.

“We had a nice meeting in Singapore with all the representatives of the teams, plus Jean Todt and Chase Carey,” Wolff said after the Singapore Grand Prix this past weekend.

“It’s clear that nobody wants a Formula GP1. The aerodynamics should always be an key element in the race and make the difference between cars.

“We still have to make our valuation on the new proposal and see if we can find some compromise between the new rules they want to introduce that are limiting the aerodynamic side and the actual rules.

“Our opinion is to leave the rules as they are, because with the stability of regulations there has always been a convergence of values in the field.

“But I’m pretty much the only one to see it this way.

“There are those who prefer to change things, with the hope that then everything will work. Throwing the dice, hoping to seize an opportunity costs less effort than lowering the head and trying to improve.”

There could be changes in 2020, too, with the FIA and F1 discussing the idea of changing the qualifying format for a race weekend.

Wolff, again, thinks the current format is fine the way it is, and thinks the drivers could and should have an opinion on that aspect of the sport.

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“It is good that the drivers have a very clear opinion,” the Mercedes team principal added..

“We do not want to appear uncooperative if new ideas are presented, the approach must be that of an open mind.

“My personal opinion is that today we have a good weekend format, which works very well, with a qualifying and the main course on Sunday with the race.

“We should be very careful in doing experiments during the season with hundreds of millions of spectators following us.”

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