Brown expects ‘fireworks’ over new rules

Editor

McLaren executive director Zak Brown has declared the honeymoon period over for Liberty Media and predicts that teams will be having public spats over the new rules and regulations.

Liberty are fast approaching their one-year anniversary since taking over from Bernie Ecclestone and the defining issue they will be judged upon is what direction they take Formula 1 in once the current Concorde Agreement expires at the end of the 2020 season.

Liberty's initial vision for 2021 has not been received well by existing Formula 1 teams, and Brown expects those quarrels and frustrations to continue for some time to come.

"The honeymoon period is over," Brown said on the James Allen on F1 website.

"Some senior team executives have been openly critical of Liberty. I prefer we're constructive.

"They've only really had their feet under the desk for the last six to 12 months having inherited a sport previously operated pretty uniquely. They've had to put infrastructure in place, learn the environment and prioritise where to invest – all at the same time.

"There will be some big negotiations going on through 2018 with the teams on contract renewal and I predict that there will be public fireworks; we are already starting to see that.

"I do not think it's going to be quiet. Will Ferrari really leave if they don't like the new rules?

"I have my opinion but we'll see how this plays out."