Coronavirus uncertainty could push back Formula 1's 2021 regulation changes

2021 Season

Coronavirus uncertainty could push back Formula 1's 2021 regulation changes

Concern over the pandemic is poised to force season shift

Sam Hall

Wednesday 18 March 2020 16:05 Updated: 16:35

Formula 1 teams are considering pushing back its radical new regulations for 2021 by a year due to the uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

It is understood a conference call involving all team principals, Formula 1 Group CEO Chase Carey, its managing director of motorsports Ross Brawn and FIA president Jean Todt is scheduled for Thursday.

Without racing, there is no money coming into Formula 1, which will result in reduced incomes for all the teams at the end of whatever season eventually unfolds.

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Share prices have halved since late February, dropping from $46.92 to as low as $18.84, wiping over $4 billion from the overall value of the sport.

As such, every possible course of action is on the table.

The main option being pursued is retaining the current cars into next season, but with development frozen in certain areas.

The proposal, when first aired between the teams in a conference call earlier this week, was agreed on by nine teams. Ferrari requested additional time to evaluate the proposition.

Should agreement eventually be reached, it is believed developments on the chassis, gearbox and parts of the suspension would be frozen. Aerodynamic improvements and engine developments would still be allowed.

It is unclear whether other regulatory changes, such as the cost cap or the switch to low-profile 18-inch wheels that are due to be introduced by Pirelli in 2021, would be pushed back along with the aerodynamic regulations.

At present, the FIA and Liberty Media remain committed to running as many as possible of this year's races.

Only Australia has so far been cancelled, with Bahrain, Vietnam and China all postponed, with the hope they can be rescheduled on a revamped calendar.

One possibility under discussion is stretching this year's calendar into January 2021, leading to a later start date for next year's campaign.