How F1 squandered an opportunity to experiment
Vetoes and vested interests are choking real change in Formula 1, argues STUART CODLING, even as we look forward to new rules in 2021
One of Formula 1's greatest contradictions is that while it's a hotbed of technical innovation and continuous transformation, the people who actually call the shots are change-phobic to an almost hysterical degree. Worse still, since Bernie Ecclestone short-sightedly granted the teams a voice in decision-making, the blunt hand of tawdry self-interest has crushed many new ideas at the embryonic stage.
Older readers and trivia whizzes will recall that Elvis died on the toilet. Well, despite an extraordinarily long sitting, and a copious amount of heaving and straining, F1 has managed to pass the 2021 regulations without suffering a heart attack. Sadly, one of the more interesting ideas that could have been implemented, and which was mooted to be trialled next year, has fallen foul of the it-can't-be-done crowd.
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