Formula 1 he doesn't have much time left until the first tests of the season 2022 it’s still a bad three weeks and we’re still witnessing many construction site of the royal class of motorsport. There is still no updated version sports rules. Latest version no. 3 is from 30.4.2021 and a number of changes have been adopted since then.
But acceptance version no. 4 it is obviously a much more complex matter than it initially seemed. Teams want it bargain on certain points that were not originally discussed at all. For example, Fr. sprint races and because of them it raises budget ceilings and certain exceptions.
All a farce around sports rules it has its origins in a completely different, much larger problem and is to some extent related to the controversial one final last season c Abu Dhabi. Director of Dirk Michael Massi he never had an easy job. Shoes left by the deceased Charlie whiting, were too big to be filled by a single man, who was also given additional tasks. Nevertheless, the FIA has decided that Whiting will be succeeded only by Massa.
Too many tasks for race director Michael Masi
In the hot fight between Red Bullom in Mercedes it became too much for an Australian. In addition to the position race director is Masi too Security Delegate, must take care of takeover of racetracks or tracks and also acts as sports director for single-seater in the Formula 1 sports rules Colin Haywood, Race Control Manager, this is for Masia already meant too many obligations. And in doing so, he was sports rules for the 2022 season placed at the edge. But also in race leadership became increasingly hot on the basis of a close struggle, which reached its peak in Abu Dhabi. Since then, b has been under constant scrutiny from critics, and some would like to get rid of it as well.
The FIA will also bet on Masi after Abu Dhabi
But at the top FIA they know what they have in Masija, although this does not necessarily mean that v Abu Dhabi everything went well. The season finale was - as a belated rule - a consequence overloaded system. Umbrella organization FIA she knew about this issue before, v Abu Dhabi however, this weak point manifested itself in the most painful way. Former President Jean Todt he also laid the foundations for a new arrangement. Secretary General Peter bayer in addition to his position on the FIA Council (WMSC), he is also the director of single-seater seats. Team bosses Formula 1 in Liberty Medium they now have direct contact in it, which is level over the race director and technical directors Nicholas Tombazis.
The task Bayer is - so reads a press release from FIA - yes on the side of the umbrella organization optimizes structures Formula 1. The experienced official was already active in last year's final in Abu Dhabi and created a picture of the unchanged situation in the Formula 1 paddock. February FIA they still have about three weeks to resolve before v Barcelona the first winter tests begin. In less than two months, however, it begins new Formula 1 season. And we can be sure it will race leadership under close scrutiny.
Will we have more Formula One race leaders this year?
Colleagues from Motorsport-Magazine.com are expected to learn that the leadership of the race could grow to two dimensions. So far, the race management has worked exclusively on the racetrack. But the teams have their own factories so called virtual garages or as some call them military rooms. Data from the racetrack to the factory rooms takes place in real time. Experts in virtual garages they support their teams on the racetrack right from the factories. In similar system could now be introduced by the FIA as well. While I would race leader on the spot took care of the most important tasks in real time, the team in the background could check different scenarios and take action in an emergency. Similar to footballwhere they have VAR and what he suggested, for example Helmut Marko.
And there in "background”Could flow as well radio messages team. Chaos on the radio, as was the case in Abu Dhabi, where they are team bosses intervened v decide the leaders of the race will be a thing of the past. He used to take care of things like that Herbie blashwhich is then "filtered”All messages and only the most important forwarded to Charlie Whiting. Blash has been retired for quite some time, and the system, which once existed, could definitely come back. At the same time, the race leader is expected to be even more relieved. 23 dirk and additional tasks - that is too much for one person. Because of this, there are reflections to set up yet additional race leader. And they are considered as candidates Eduardo Freitas, WEC Series Race Director, Niels Wittitch, most recently the leader of the DTM and Scott Elkins, leader of Formula E races.
The first test for the new FIA president
FIA cannot and also cannot does not want to respond under pressure from some teams to Masia dismiss. This is the first test of the new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Because the 60-year-old won't let him teams fooled and pulled by the nose. Engagement Steve Nielsen, which some demand, for the umbrella organization can not be and will not be any option. Nielsen is the sports director at Liberty Medium. However, commercial and sporting interests must not be confused in any case. That would be it FIA became vulnerable. Return Marcin Budkowski, who recently said goodbye to the Alpine team, is not a topic at the moment.
No extra millions for sprint races
Whatever it looks like final solution, a lot of time is no longer available. We can say that the rules will be very close. Still not clear, how much we will have this year sprint races. In fact, it was planned six, but bargaining with some teams could ruin that plan. Also here guardians of the rules they don’t want to be hostage teams. Exceptions are supposed to exist only in harm, originated in sprint races, but not seen in in full. But in the long run FIA he needs a strong one sports directorthat these matters are not being discussed just before the start of the new season.
