F1 regulation changes could be further delayed until 2023

F1 2023

F1 regulation changes could be further delayed until 2023

Christian Horner reckons it is the correct thing to do

Martin Macdonald

Wednesday 1 April 2020 11:30

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Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes the proposed regulation changes which were set to be introduced in 2021, which were subsequently delayed until 2022, should be postponed further as F1 remains static in the middle of the current pandemic.

Eight races of the 2020 F1 season have been postponed or cancelled, causing a significant financial strain on teams who rely on racing money.

New regulations, including a budget cap, were pencilled in for 2021, with teams reportedly set to spend big on innovation in 2020 before they were no longer allowed to spend what they want.

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Now, with money becoming more and more of an issue, Horner is of the opinion that the regulation changes should be delayed again so the sport can focus on stability.

“The most fundamental and important thing is taking away the necessity to spend in order to be competitive,” Horner told BBC Sport.

“So, [we will be] freezing parts of the car [development]. The monocoque’s already agreed. We’re looking at front suspension, uprights, wheels, all the associated parts for that, gearbox internals, probably 60 per cent of the car other than its aerodynamic surfaces and that being frozen for this year and next year.

“We’re also talking about pushing back a further year the new regulations, because in my mind it would be totally irresponsible to have the burden of development costs in 2021.

“There seems to be reasonable agreement but it needs ratifying by the FIA to push back those development costs into 2022 for introduction in the 2023 season.

“The most important thing we need now is stability.”

Ultimately, Horner thinks it is the “responsible” course of action to take as teams attempt to cut costs as much as possible until racing, and earning, gets back to normal.

“Because the one thing we know is that whenever you introduce change you introduce cost, and stability right now and locking down as much of the car as possible is the most responsible way to drive those cost drivers down,” he continued.