Alonso hopes Liberty shake-up brings closer F1 races

Fernando Alonso hopes Liberty Media's proposals for new regulations for the 2021 Formula 1 season lead to closer racing. Liberty are set to outline their vision for the sport's future during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend and Alonso says tackling F1's predictability should be key.

Mercedes have dominated the hybrid era, winning four straight constructors' titles, while Red Bull secured honours in each of the four seasons prior to that.

Mercedes failed to win only eight of 61 races between 2014 and 2016, although Ferrari managed to offer more of a challenge in 2017 as Sebastian Vettel won five grands prix and Red Bull shared three victories between Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.

Having sampled IndyCar at last year's Indianapolis 500, Alonso says the Stateside series should give F1's American owners a template to follow.

McLaren are back in town! #F1 #McLaren #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/zTTIolIwJM — Bahrain Int. Circuit (@BAH_Int_Circuit) April 5, 2018

"I think it could be a closer battle, that will be always welcome, but it has always been like that," Alonso told Thursday's press conference before the Bahrain Grand Prix.

"I watched the TV and it showed a race from the very old days, a race from 1990 or '89, and apart from the first four cars, everyone was lapped.

"Now we remember that year like a golden era with big names.

"But you see now, if you watch a race of IndyCar, that unpredictable result until the last 10 laps makes you excited.

"We can put out the qualifying order for this race right now and it's a little bit sad."

Perhaps reflecting the optimistic mood that McLaren's switch from Honda to Renault engines has put him in so far in 2018, Alonso also spoke positively about Liberty's plans.

"Liberty has been quite open to us from day one," he said. "They have been asking us last year about opinions and different ideas that we may have.

"There were some very productive conversations so now they have a plan. They will show it tomorrow to the teams and we will agree with the decision because they have power and knowledge.

"Hopefully they bring new ideas, new things that can improve the show and it will be welcome from us."