With weeks to go before the deadline by which time the 2021 rules and regulation must be signed-off, an internal vote by all ten teams sees only four in favour of the technical changes, and six opposing them.

While plans for a budget cap have been agreed, other than proposed changes to the way the prize pot is divided, it is the technical changes being planned that are causing the most division.

Formula One Management has spent millions assembling a team of technical experts in a bid to produce a car that will not only appear more aggressive and aesthetically pleasing than the current look, but whose aero will allow cars to follow more closely and thereby aid overtaking and produce better racing.

However, a number of teams have voiced their fears from the out-set, not only in terms of the standardisation of parts, but their feeling that prescriptive design compromises the sport's DNA in that it time all the cars will look the same.

In a private survey organised by Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull, all ten teams were asked their thoughts, with only four, Alfa Romeo, McLaren, Renault and Williams, claiming that they prefer the proposed new rules as opposed to essentially keeping the same design as at present.

While the teams are set to meet with F1 and the FIA this week to discuss the matter further before the 31 October deadline, all parties are aware that Ferrari has the right of veto to oppose the changes, and despite claiming that it would be a “shame” to resort to this, the Italian team would not hesitate in using it.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, having been shown the latest proposals, all ten teams were given a ten-point questionnaire in terms of whether to stick with the current rules are go ahead with the planned changes, and while Alfa Romeo, McLaren and Renault were quick to voice their desire to accept the changes, Williams took a couple of days before it too agreed to the latest proposals.

The result of the findings were then handed to the FIA World Council by Ferrari, and at a subsequent meeting of the FIA's Technical Working Group, a number of teams, including McLaren and Alfa Romeo, suggested changes to the latest proposals.

Meanwhile, Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull have presented their own proposals, believing that such a major overhaul of the technical regulations would impact the sport negatively and could have the opposite effect to what F1 and the FIA is seeking, by actually creating greater disparity in terms of performance.

On the other hand, it is argued that the 'big three' merely want to maintain their current domination, a suggestion reinforced by the fact that Ferrari could yet use its power of veto.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 23/10/2019 7:41

"As readers of Mr Noble's various pieces will know Ms Physics plays a significant role in how F1 cars perform, and she is a strict task-mistress. This means that for any given set of aero rules simple Darwinian selection kicks-in. Deep water sharks share a general 'look' for a good reason.
Consequently cars will tend to look pretty similar, the devil being in all the twiddly details.
This season we've seen that despite this there is room for manoeuvre with Mercedes opting for lots of 'dirty down-force' Ferrari went 'clean & mean'. However a cursory glance reveals that the cars still look pretty similar. "

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2. Posted by sagosac, 17/10/2019 20:11

"@ imejl99: it is highly tempting to believe that change must favour the rich. Just experience tells us that the smaller teams had more chances to shine when regulation swere less rigid. Only then, creativity may outpace headcount.
I still agree that it is hard to believe; but the big 3 cannot employ all bright brains. "

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3. Posted by imejl99, 14/10/2019 12:25

"With any given set of rules racing cars would end up looking similar. The thing is, rarely team with limited funding gets it right from scratch and wins. Usually the wealthiest have enough money and resources to quickly abandon wrong approach and invest in new solution.

It is very puzzling to me to learn who is pro and who is opposed to change... Williams is struggling with spare parts, and they are in for a change of rules that will made them build everything new? Peculiar... "

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4. Posted by sagosac, 13/10/2019 18:22

"sure they do.
A shame that such hi-end oeuvres of hi-tec are being perceived as boring, due to their similarity.
Still the teams are averse towards all kind of change -- no matter how gridlocked the pecking order is.
This is why it needs a strong leadership."

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5. Posted by Uffen, 12/10/2019 17:52

"If one fear is that all cars will look too much the same - sorry, too late, that's already happened. The rules are the purview of the FIA. If the teams don't like them they can find some more suitable ones elsewhere. This whole rules fiasco proves that many teams are in it more for the marketing, rather than for the racing or the fans. "

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6. Posted by sagosac, 12/10/2019 14:28

"whereby a prescriptive design should be much more appealing than quite identical designs -- or am I wrong ? "

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Majority of teams opposed to 2021 regulation changes

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