Breaking news
Formula 1
F1 needs to become more driver dependent in 2022 - Sainz
Carlos Sainz hopes that Formula 1’s 2022 rules live up to the hype and put more power back in the hands of drivers.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Dec 30, 2020, 2:40 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
F1 is preparing all-new rules from 2022, with it hoped that ground effect machinery will improve the racing by allowing cars to follow each other more closely.
As well as that, a raft of new financial arrangement, including a cost cap and more equitable prize money distribution, should help close the grid up.
Sainz says one of F1’s current weaknesses is that the performance of cars is too spread out, so the influence of driver talent is not fully exposed. That is why he hopes that when the 2022 changes come into effect, they will better allow the top drivers to show off their skills.
“What I wish is that Formula 1 in the future has a closer grid, in order to allow the driver to create more of a difference,” he said.
“As you arrive to F1, you very quickly realise it's very difficult to beat any guy who has a car that is three tenths quicker than you, because you as a driver, you're fighting for the last two tenths with your teammate. That's been the case with all my teammates, you're just two tenths up or two tenths down.
“But then when someone outqualifies you by 1.5 seconds, then you know that you are not really competing with him. I wish that we can close the group up together. I think FOM, Liberty, and the FIA have done a very good job with the 2022 regulations, and they've given that a chance.
“So hopefully that happens, and the sport becomes a bit more human dependent in terms of driving, and less machinery dependent. I think the sport can be a lot closer, a lot more fun. That will create a greater audience, and I think it will be better for everyone."
Read Also:
- Seidl: Outdated F1 infrastructure still a huge McLaren weakness
- Fast-tracking upgrades key to McLaren F1 progress - Seidl
The difficulties that the current high downforce cars have in following each other was laid bare at the season finale in Abu Dhabi, which produced very little action.
Immediately after the race, world champion Lewis Hamilton expressed his hope that the 2022 rules deliver exactly what F1 chiefs have billed.
“I really hope and pray in 2022 the cars are better to follow, because I don’t know, it felt like a boring race to watch,” he said.
“As soon as you get within three seconds of someone you are just sliding around and you’re in turbulence the whole time. I really hope that what Ross [Brawn] has proposed really makes a difference. We just need good tyres.”
Read Also:
- Sainz: Ferrari not a team that "devours" its drivers
- Hamilton: Turkish GP my "stand-out performance" of F1 2020
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Perez's Mercedes knowledge a factor in Red Bull signing him
Next article Ferrari: Schumacher might face 'difficult' first F1 season
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Latest news
MotoGP Australian GP: Marc Marquez wins sprint to seize points lead, Jorge Martin crashes
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
15 min
MotoGP Australian GP: Marc Marquez wins sprint to seize points lead, Jorge Martin crashes
NASCAR Truck Series championship down to two with two to go
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck 2 h
NASCAR Truck Series championship down to two with two to go
MotoGP Australian GP: Marc Marquez recovers from crash to take pole at wet Phillip Island
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
4 h
MotoGP Australian GP: Marc Marquez recovers from crash to take pole at wet Phillip Island
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe