Mercedes chief notes MISTAKE in F1 regulations

Mercedes bosses gather in garage during 2022 season — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News

Mercedes chief notes MISTAKE in F1 regulations

Technical director reveals issues with the current F1 regulations.

Originally written by Sheona Mountford. This version is a translation.

Saturday 16 March 2024 18:00

Mercedes technical director James Allison has pointed out something he believes to be an issue with Formula 1 regulations.

Ground effect cars were essentially re-legalised in 2022, with the intent of promoting overtaking and better racing.

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After a short lived title battle with Charles Leclerc at the beginning of 2022, Max Verstappen has dominated this era of Formula 1 now on 56 race victories.

F1 fans have complained about the boring racing so far in 2024 with no fight at the front.

Ground effect cars in action at the Saudi Arabian GP 2024

James Allison reveals regulation limitations

“But there are things in the regulations that don't serve any of us well. I don't think it's sensible to have cars that hug the ground in the way that these cars hug it.

Mercedes technical director James Allison

“And the idea that you get good racing by controlling wakes, while ignoring tyres… The whole idea of controlling wakes, being something of a tilting-at-windmills type of challenge, that side of things has been tested to destruction fairly evidently.

“But Red Bull are doing a good job and the rest of us have a duty to do a better job. I don't think that's the fault of the regulator.”

Red Bull Max Verstappen Mercedes Formula 1 Charles Leclerc James Allison