The ballast has lead in the wing

F1 is studying the possibility of introducing a ballast penalty for drivers exceeding the quota of engine elements authorized per season. An idea which does not seem to have the support of the teams, who are putting forward other solutions.

Published on 25/09/2019 à 11:54

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How can we ensure that the qualifying results are not distorted by the use of new engine elements beyond the regulatory quotas and the decline on the grid that accompanies it?

La F1 work on the subject by studying alternatives. One of them could be the introduction of ballast for offenders, but the majority of teams brake hard.

“I'm not a big fan of the system, confides Frédéric Vasseur, boss ofAlfa Romeo Racing. I think it would be even worse for the race. At least when you have a penalty and have to go further, you have the possibility of moving back up.”

Same story with his counterpart Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, for whom the method has shown its limits elsewhere. “We could see that Balance of Performance doesn't really work in other categories, believes the British manager.

You are penalized all weekend. Afterwards, it's true that the current system deprives fans of a nice spectacle in qualifying. If I take the example of Max Verstappen at Monza, he did not go past Q1 voluntarily because he knew he had an engine penalty, which is a shame for the spectators.

We need to be able to find a solution that encourages drivers to participate in qualifying on Saturday.” A solution, its best enemy Cyril Abiteboul has been defending one for a long time: replacing the step back on the grid with a time penalty to be observed during a pit-stop or in the form of seconds added after the race.

“This would not distort the qualifications and could give rise to interesting strategies, judges the general director of Renault sport racing. I don't understand why this proposal doesn't get more support. I don’t see what harmful and unwanted effects this could cause, but there must be a reason…”.

In Singapore, Abiteboul discovered an ally in the person of Zak Brown, also in favor of the measure. “A chronometric sanction is simple to understand and does not mix up the grid in an incomprehensible way, declared the general director of Mclaren racing.

It would be integrated into the racing strategy, whether in terms of tire choice, pit-stop timing, etc. “It would add action and spice to the track.”

Remember that the unanimity of the teams is in theory required to introduce such a regulatory change from 2020.