David Coulthard: Miami GP may not reveal true impact of F1 rule tweaks

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has tempered expectations about the new regulation tweaks, arguing that it is unlikely fans will see whether the changes have worked at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix. 

During the five-week break between the Japanese and Miami Grands Prix, the FIA and Formula One Management met with the teams and other stakeholders to discuss tweaks to the regulations after complaints about energy management and safety concerns following Oliver Bearman's Suzuka crash. 

While regulation refinements have been agreed upon, Coulthard explained that it could take a few races to see the full impact of these changes. 

"What's going to be interesting to see is, and I think in Miami, we won't necessarily see the results of these changes because of the nature of the race track there," the former Red Bull driver explained on the Up To Speed podcast.

"A lot of slow and medium speed corners. There isn't really anything big and meaty, an iconic section of corners where you go, 'Wow, I really saw the driver or the car do something special.' So, I think we have to give it a few races.

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

"But I do think it will make a difference. There's no question about it. And it may reduce some of the on-track overtakes that some people have got excited about, but is a reduction in power when someone else has got the boost available because they were in the right place on the track at the point that they picked up that trigger that enabled them to have the boost, is that really an overtake? It's a power surge, isn't it? It's an increase in power.

"So, I think we may see less of those on-track overtakes, but they'll be more meaningful. It'll be more about the driver positioning the car, trying to pick up that slipstream. Yes, you're still going to have an element of boost, but that's effectively what DRS was in previous years as well. So, I'm optimistic."

The Miami Grand Prix will take place from 1-3 May at Hard Rock Stadium.