2019 change won't 'cure' overtaking - Carey

Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey admits the aerodynamic changes planned for the 2019 season will not "cure" issues with overtaking. Alterations to front-wing designs will be made next year in a measure that will slow cars down, but hopefully increase on-track action as a result.

Current-spec F1 cars are almost impossible to follow closely due to the vast amounts of downforce produced.

A season-opening Australian Grand Prix that featured just five overtakes stung F1 chiefs into action, with Ferrari and Mercedes pushing through the measures when teams voted on the matter.

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Red Bull have been particularly critical of the move, while a string of high-profile drivers have spoken out about their lack of involvement in the process.

Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo - the three drivers with race wins to their name in 2018 - all criticised Liberty Media's refusal to engage with the stars of the sport, while Vettel said F1's flip-flopping over aero rules was "comical".

Carey says the modification was required to increase F1's competitive edge, but admits changes are unlikely to be that eye-catching.

"Overtaking is clearly an issue, and I think we know the steps we are taking for 2019 with the FIA are not a cure all, they are a step," Carey told the FIA's Sport Conference. "The changes in 2021 will be more significant.

"We are more broadly addressing the aerodynamics. We don't want to lose the aerodynamic aspects that make F1 racing so spectacular, but we do think we need to do things that enable overtaking to be a much more significant part of the sport.

"But it is not the only one. There are a lot of things we have underway that will bring a more competitive balance, more action on track, and in many ways more unpredictability.

"Predictability is not good in sports. You want the unexpected. You want the memorable moments that you didn't see coming. You want the underdog winning. You want those things to happen."