F1 will present a “global project” for 2021 to the teams at the end of March

Engine and chassis regulations, redistribution of income, introduction of capped budgets, governance of sport: the F1 is supposed to wipe the slate clean on all these crucial subjects in 2021 to open a new prosperous era on the Grand Prix scene. 

The subject has occupied the debates in the paddock for months, driven by a relatively vague overview because it has not yet really gone beyond the stage of declarations of intent. However, things are about to change if we are to believe the comments made by Jean Todt, president of the FIA, and Chase Carey, boss of F1, this Friday in Melbourne. 

« We will have a meeting of the Strategy Group and the F1 Commission in less than two weeks, on March 26, in London, said Todt. On this occasion, we will be able to present a global project, that is to say proposals on the commercial and financial aspect, which is the responsibility of F1, a new initiative on cost control, which is at a fairly advanced stage, engine and chassis regulations, and measures concerning the governance of the sport. These are all the chapters that will be discussed and on which we are currently working ». 

Alongside him, Carey added: “ There are a lot of rumors and speculation around 2021, about what will happen on the track or about the cars, but also regarding essential subjects like income distribution. Many people would like these discussions to take place on public roads but as we have often said, we think it is more sensible to discuss with the teams behind closed doors. 

There is general agreement on the direction to take but it's like everything, as soon as you go into detail and question 10 different teams, you will have 10 divergent opinions. You have to find the right compromises but that's not something inherent to F1. We look forward to providing foundations on which the sport can build to really take off from 2021 ». 

If one of the objectives of the ongoing revolution is to make F1 more attractive, Todt and Carey were keen to clarify that this will not immediately result in the arrival of new competitors. 

« It will undoubtedly be difficult on the engine side, conceded the president of the FIA. We talked about it a lot with the manufacturers and we didn't find any who really seemed ready to take the plunge so we opted for stability on these regulations. 

I would love for there to be new teams in F1. When discussing it with Chase, I often say that the right number would be 12 teams. For me, that's F1. But that would also create problems because if you have 12 teams, you have to distribute the revenue differently; some would receive less income and would therefore be less happy. And it's better to have 10 healthy stables, which is currently the case ». 

Carey revealed that he had several discussions with potentially interested candidates without them being builders. “ The opportunities exist but I agree with Jean in saying that the number 1 priority remains to ensure the presence of 10 solid teams, to favor quality over quantity », concluded the American.