The one-year postponement of the 2021 regulations debated this Thursday

After a first teleconference organized last Tuesday between the FOM and FIA teams which decided to close the factories brought forward to the March/April period and extended from 14 to 21 days to free up the month of August, a second is planned today to move forward on two of the most burning issues: the revised calendar and the entry into force of the new 2021 regulations.

Added to the difficulty for the FOM of rearranging a program of 17 or 18 dates are the difficulties of promoters whose ticket sales are at or almost at a standstill. A reality that has been somewhat forgotten in discussions so far and which could also lead to cancellations! The other big issue is that of a possible postponement of the entry into force of the 2021 regulations. 

Within the teams, a consensus seems to be emerging to delay its implementation by one year. The reasons given by the majority of teams are obviously financial because they will have to deal with a reduction in income from the FOM, while many sponsors will have difficulty honoring their deadlines or even risk giving up or disappear. 

What the teams will try to make the FOM understand is that participating in 18 races in 6 months will cost more than competing in 22 events in 9 months because they will have to stock up. of parts in response to the acceleration of the calendar with the multiplication of “triplets”. 

Going for three Grands Prix in a row will also represent a high price because the teams will have to hire additional labor. It is to respond to this sharp increase in expenses that the teams are also pleading for a status quo concerning the implementation of the capped budget. 

Maintaining its entry into force in 2021 would prevent the largest structures from spending a fortune on the following year's car. While the world championship is faced with a situation as unprecedented as it is dangerous for certain teams – we think about the sustainability of the Williams et Haas –, it is therefore one of the most important parts which will take place in the coming hours. Let's hope that all players prioritize the common interest.