Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey calls team principals to Suzuka meeting
Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey called team principals to a meeting at Suzuka on Sunday morning to discuss the future direction of grand prix racing
The timing is intriguing as it follows the team bosses meeting on their own on Friday, with no representation from the F1 or FIA, for the first time since the Malaysian Grand Prix in October 2017.
The feeling among the team bosses was that it would be valuable for them to meet without the other key stakeholders, and in an informal environment without the strict agenda that dominates strategy group discussions.
The general thrust of the conversation is understood to be about how to improve the show, for example by ensuring there are multiple strategic options and more pitstops.
The meeting was also an interesting political move amid ongoing discussions about the sporting, technical and commercial direction of F1.
In effect, the teams were aligning their interests in preparation for what could be a complicated and prolonged debate.
This clearly piqued the interest of F1's leadership, meaning Carey's Sunday morning invitation could be viewed an attempt to find out what the teams are thinking and to provide more detail on the long-term plans in an informal setting.
"Basically, we had the same discussion all over again," said one team boss of today's meeting.
"We agreed we should meet more often. It was very productive."
Mercedes was not represented because Toto Wolff had a prior commitment at his team's race strategy briefing.
After the meeting, Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene joined Christian Horner and Helmut Marko in Red Bull hospitality for further discussions.
Previous article
Grosjean came 'very close' to copying Ferrari tyre error at Suzuka
Next article
Japanese Grand Prix: Hamilton wins, Vettel clashes with Verstappen
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Author | Adam Cooper |
Albert Park Circuit Modifications Project
Mercedes-AMG F1 Team: Bahrain GP Race Debrief
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of car-racing titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Are we at peak F1 right now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How crucial marginal calls will decide the Red Bull vs Mercedes battle in F1 2021
The longer Red Bull can maintain a performance edge over Mercedes, the better the odds will be in the team’s favour against the defending world champions. But as the Bahrain Grand Prix showed, many more factors will be critical in the outcome of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle
The nightmare timing that now hinders Mercedes
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton took victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite, for a change, not having the quickest car. But any hopes of developing its W12 to surpass Red Bull's RB16B in terms of outright speed could not have come at a worse time.
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his team-mate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen’s emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber team-mate’s own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here’s how Nick Heidfeld’s career was chilled by the Iceman
