F1 News
Domenicali won't plug Red Bull: 'That's manipulation'
All season, Toyota was the dominant team in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), but after an artificial intervention by the FIA and the Le Mans organisation, there was nothing left of that during the prestigious 24 hours in the French city. Now that Red Bull has managed to completely control Formula 1, have the FIA or F1 considered introducing similar rules that could cause the Austrians to lose their edge?
The answer to this question appears to be a resounding 'no', Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali told the Beyond the Grid podcast. The Italian stated: "I think it is not fair to say that. It's not correct because we cannot be seen as part of manipulation. This is not correct, and this is not fair. I am not [imagining] at all this kind of approach."
F1 CEO knows 'right approach'
Indeed, Domenicali is actually in favour of not changing the regulations at all for an extended period of time. The Italian believes this would make it easier for the competition to close the gap on Red Bull. "I think that's the right approach now, also because the rules have been changed not many years ago," he said.
In the WEC, the regulations state that it is possible to create a more level playing field during the season. In principle, all cars there have the same weight. But Toyota was given 36 kilos of extra ballast for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while eventual winner Ferrari had to make do with 24 extra kilos. More weight means slower lap times and more tyre wear. In times of dominance by one team, there is sometimes philosophising here and there about introducing a similar Balance of Performance in Formula 1.