12/02/2015
NEWS STORY
While Ron Dennis appears to support changes to the sport, he urges that they be delayed for financial reasons.
With the new formula just a season old, there are already plans to change it, as the sport seeks to put on a better show for the current fans and hopefully attract new ones. Speaking recently, new Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene called for more 'Rock 'n' Roll in F1, a view that few have argued against.
Amongst other things, there is talk of 1,000 bhp engines and cars that look more aggressive. However, such a move would drive up costs at a time when one team has gone under, another is waving (possibly drowning) and a couple of others are in dire straits.
Ron Dennis is all for anything that will increase the fan-base, and thereby attract new sponsors, but urges a 'softly, softly, approach.
"If we're going to change F1, we should change it dramatically and therefore we should change it dramatically for 2017," he has told Sky Sports{/i]. Then it will be affordable. If we dramatically try and change it for 2016 the cost implications will be huge."
The engine manufacturers, who are joined this year by Honda, are already unhappy at some of the criticism of the new power units; their reliability and efficiency overlooked as critics, led by Bernie Ecclestone, complain about the lack of noise. Having already invested countless millions in the new units they are unwilling to start investing in a new formula just yet. Indeed, dramatic changes could see some of the manufacturers leave the sport.
Asked how Honda might feel about further changes, at a time it is still trying to get its current engine right, Dennis said: "We talk about it a lot and the philosophy we have is that as long as it's a level playing field, we'll do whatever's best for Formula 1. We'll follow. Obviously we'll voice an opinion as Honda and as McLaren."
As for the ongoing financial difficulties facing several teams, he remains opposed to the idea of a budget cap.
"It happens year on year on year," he said. "Formula 1 teams spend the money that they've got and they always will. They will find new ways to spend money that you wouldn't even believe. So the actual cost constraint has to be exercised by the senior management of a Formula 1 team. The cost constraints cannot be managed by an outside entity.
"You've got to decide what you're going to spend because it doesn't matter what people impose on you, if you want to spend more money this is a sport that will absorb anything you want to spend on it."
Chris Balfe