Carey hails ‘fully united approach’ as rules are deferred

Michelle Foster
Carey hails 'fully united approach' as rules are deferred

Carey hails 'fully united approach' as rules are deferred

It is not often that the F1 team bosses unanimously agree on anything but they have on deferring the 2021 regulations to 2022 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The bosses held a phone conference with Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey and the FIA on Thursday to discuss the sport’s response to the ongoing crisis.

Aside from talks about the calendar, which saw the Dutch and Spanish GPs postponed and Monaco cancelled, the teams also spoke about next year’s all-new regulations.

Not only are the teams facing a bumper second half to this year as F1 tries to cram in as many races as possible, but the teams are taking a financial hit right now with the season on hold.

As such all 10 teams, including Ferrari who initially wanted more time to think about the matter, and Liberty Media have agreed to defer the 2021 regulations by a year.

That means next season the rules will remain the same as they are this campaign, a huge financial help especially for the sport’s smaller teams.

A F1 statement read: “Following unanimous agreement between the FIA, Formula 1 and all teams, the implementation of the Technical Regulations due to take effect from the 2021 season will be postponed until 2022.

“All parties further discussed the current situation of the 2020 championship and how the sport will react to the ongoing challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Due to the currently volatile financial situation this has created, it has been agreed that teams will use their 2020 chassis for 2021, with the potential freezing of further components to be discussed in due course.

“The introduction and implementation of the Financial Regulations will go ahead as planned in 2021, and discussions remain ongoing between the FIA, Formula 1 and all teams regarding further ways to make significant cost savings.

“All teams expressed their support for the FIA and Formula 1 in their ongoing efforts to restructure the 2020 calendar as the global situation regarding COVID-19 develops.

“All of these commitments will be referred to the relevant governing structures for final ratification.”

Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey backed the call, applauding the teams for showing a “fully united” front.

“Due to the currently volatile financial situation this has created, it has been agreed that teams will use their 2020 chassis for 2021, with the potential freezing of further components to be discussed in due course,” he said.

“The introduction and implementation of the Financial Regulations will go ahead as planned in 2021.

“We are all very grateful for the collaborative nature of the discussions and fully united approach from all parties to get racing in 2020 as soon as the current global situation subsides.

“Formula 1 remains fully committed to launching a 2020 season as soon as possible.”

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