Ferrari star Sebastian Vettel sets sights on "good side effect" from Formula 1 crisis

Formula 1

Vettel sets sights on "good side effect" from Formula 1 crisis

But four-time champion is aware the existence of some teams is in doubt

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 21 April 2020 12:05 Updated: 15:04

Sebastian Vettel believes the current crisis could provide a "good side effect" that will help Formula 1 "come closer together" in terms of racing and as a sport.

Like every business, F1 is being held hostage to the coronavirus situation and is in a state of limbo as there are no guarantees as to when racing will start, despite hopes the Austrian and British GPs will go ahead in July.

Talks involving F1, the FIA and the 10 teams each week has so far resulted in numerous changes, notably a reduction in the budget cap - with discussions ongoing to reduce it further - and with regulations that were due to come into force next year now on hold until 2022.

Article continues under video

Ferrari driver Vettel is aware of the consequences being faced by all the teams at present, and can only hope an improved F1 emerges at the end of it.

"It obviously has huge impacts on this year, and therefore a direct impact on the short-term future, like next year," said a concerned Vettel.

Vettel: Nobody likes to race in front of empty grandstandsRead more

"I'm talking with Mattia fairly regularly, and as I understand, the teams get together regularly to talk about the situation, when the first race can be held etcetera.

"As far as I know they're talking about this subject, in particular, quite a lot. I don't think there have been conclusions, and if there have been, then they keep on changing every week or two weeks.

"What we all strive for, with the new regulations, is to bring the field closer together.

"If this special situation, in a way, helps the sport come closer together, in order to have better racing and a better sport then that would be a good side effect.

"But we will only be able to judge once we have some concrete decisions in our hands, and see how they work in practicality."

Acknowledging some teams could go out of business, Vettel added: "Definitely for the smaller teams this situation is putting their existence in question, and it's quite extreme.

"As a family of Formula 1, we ought to look out for each other."