F1 teams unconvinced by plans to help overtaking

Formula 1 teams remain unconvinced that proposed measures to improve overtaking in the 2019 season and beyond will pass a last-gasp vote on Monday. April 30 is the last day available to introduce rules that must not be voted for unanimously by teams.

The season-opening race in Australia featured just five on-track passes, raising fears that overtaking has become too difficult since aerodynamic regulations were changed last season.

An intention to make cars "five seconds a lap" quicker has instead made it much more difficult for drivers to get close to their rivals.

Overtakes fell almost half in 2017 compared to 2016, dropping from 866 to just 435. The 2017 Russian Grand Prix featured just one overtake.

Changes to front-wing designs are seen as quick fix to make races more exciting again, but a firm plan is yet to be put together.

"I'm not sure it's mature enough," McLaren racing director Eric Boullier told Motorsport. "It's only been discussed for a couple of weeks.

"We know we have a big change coming in 2021. Do we start now, or do we wait? I don't know, I'm 50-50 on this one."

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner suggested that the rules should be left as they are, given the grads prix in Bahrain and China were not short of action.

"I would be surprised if it's agreed. They're a snapshot of 2021, but taken in isolation.

"There are consequences that are detrimental, so better to leave things alone as they are for now, and then do a complete package for 2021 that encompasses everything."