F1 sacrifices raw speed for racing

Cars to be three seconds slower per lap from 2021 Futuristic vehicles to encourage competition

Formula One chiefs predict that the radically designed cars for the 2021 season, which they claimed yesterday would herald a “watershed moment” for the sport, are likely to be more than three seconds per lap slower than the existing machines.

While the cars have a futuristic look and a revised rear-wing concept to diminish the effect of turbulent air on the drivers behind, raw speed has been sacrificed in the hope of encouraging more competitive racing.

“We are expecting cars to be approximately 3-3½ seconds slower per lap,” said Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’S head of single-seater technical affairs. “But we don’t think that is the key parameter. We feel the raceability is the main target.”

Launching the most drastic rule changes for a decade, Ross Brawn, F1’s managing director of motorsports, argued the pursuit of the fastest-ever cars had been a mistake. “These cars from 2016 to 2017 had a huge increase in downforce, and it’s worth thinking back on that experience, because it was done for reasons I don’t understand,” he said. “It was a case of, ‘Let’s make the cars go faster, let’s make F1 better’. But what we have actually done is make it worse, because the cars can’t race each other.”

As part of the sweeping reforms, there is an attempt to rein in the power of the top three teams by imposing a £135 million budget cap. So far, that measure has been vehemently opposed by Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.

To achieve compromise, the cap will exclude driver salaries, the remuneration of the top three highest-paid executives, plus all marketing costs. In theory, Ferrari, with their long-standing power of veto, can overturn the measure in the next five days. In a statement, the team said: “What has been voted is a good starting point. We’ll work together to improve it even further.”

Meanwhile, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen expressed frustration with Lewis Hamilton’s recent barb about his “torpedo” driving, calling it “disrespectful”. Asked about the remark, which Sebastian Vettel endorsed, the Dutchman said: “It’s easy to have a dig at someone. From my side, it’s fine. It’s a silly comment to make – I’m a hard racer, but I think I’m always fair.

“It’s always positive when they talk about you, because that means you’re in their heads.”