Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

What we’ve learned at the 2026 Le Mans 24 Hours so far

Feature
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
What we’ve learned at the 2026 Le Mans 24 Hours so far

F1 Barcelona GP: Norris tops FP2 from Russell by 0.009s

Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
F1 Barcelona GP: Norris tops FP2 from Russell by 0.009s

“How it should be” – Mercedes backs FIA’s ADUO verdict after surprise Red Bull result

Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
“How it should be” – Mercedes backs FIA’s ADUO verdict after surprise Red Bull result

Mercedes weighs up legal options over Gasly Monaco F1 penalty precedent

Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
Mercedes weighs up legal options over Gasly Monaco F1 penalty precedent

McLaren, Red Bull lodge intention to appeal Gasly's Monaco penalty review win

Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
McLaren, Red Bull lodge intention to appeal Gasly's Monaco penalty review win

How Alpine presented its case to overturn Gasly's Monaco penalty

Feature
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
How Alpine presented its case to overturn Gasly's Monaco penalty

F1 Barcelona GP: Russell tops first practice from Piastri

Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
F1 Barcelona GP: Russell tops first practice from Piastri

LIVE: F1 Barcelona GP commentary and updates - Norris leads FP2, Lawson stops on track

Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
LIVE: F1 Barcelona GP commentary and updates - Norris leads FP2, Lawson stops on track

Webber: Rule changes not a concern

Mark Webber says the rule tweaks stopping teams from changing engine mapping between qualifying and the race are unlikely to have a big effect on the field

"I don't think they will make the car any faster," said Webber during a press conference ahead of the European GP.

"They will be the same for everybody. We need to adapt again and get used to it.

"Our team are used to adapting to a change in the regulations. I don't think it will turn the field upside, but everyone will be in reasonable shape. We are quick."

The Red Bull driver also questioned the timing of the rule changes, as he reckons it will cost teams a lot of money to adapt.

"There is always something floating about in our sport," he said. "Obviously it would have bee very cost effective to know this before the season started, as everyone looking at it at the end of the year.

"It is not a trivial thing to throw in the middle of the season for teams, but they will adjust. Everyone is in the same boat. It is the same for everybody. We are not overly concerned. It is not a cheap exercise to make adjustments off the back of it."

But the Australian says fans will not care too much about the changes, as they only want to watch exciting races.

"I think the majority of fans aren't that bothered, they want to see what they've seen this year - good car races. They have 10-15% knowledge of what is going on behind the scenes, you have the hardcore fans who understand a bit more, but fans want to see a good car race.

"The politics in the background will always be there, but they are making these decisions for whatever reason it is.

"You design an F1 car at the start of the season to a very strict regulations and then obviously there is a massive conceptual trend for that design in the middle of the year. It is the way it is. We have to get on with it."

Previous article Alonso says there is time to recover
Next article Alguersuari relaxed about his future

Top Comments