Williams and Aston Martin team principals admitted that the current F1 rules allow tighter battles and the sport has reached the goal of improving on-track racing.
With the old rules of 2017 or 2018, for example, the aerodynamic parts of a Formula 1 car were so complex that a lot of dirty air was produced. Therefore, it was extremely difficult for the cars behind to follow, and that produced fewer overtakes and less spectacle on track.
Then, in 2019 and again in 2022, Formula 1 changed the rules. The new regulations aimed to create simpler cars with fewer aerodynamic appendices to improve close battles on track. Both James Vowles and Mike Krack agree that the current regulations improved racing even though the problem of dirty air is still a bit present.
“I don’t think the regulations have failed,” said Vowles to Motorsport.com.
“I think that would be wholeheartedly unfair. I think the competition is pretty tight in the midfield. There is overtaking that takes place.
“I think even on the data that we can see now, it’s still better than the ‘21, ‘20 generations of cars. But especially the leading pack has developed the car in an extraordinary way that as you develop downforce, it is making it harder to follow.
“But I still think on all the metrics and all the data we can see, you’re now getting closer than you were before as a result of things, which was an intention behind it.
“Whether they will improve in ‘25, no, I don’t think so. There’s no reason to think it will improve next year. And in ‘26, again, the rules are still being ratified as we speak, so it’s hard to evaluate that.”
Krack echoed Vowles’ words by admitting that, despite one team dominating, the new rules have worked.
“I agree with James, I think the regulations are not a fail, at all. I think it has allowed various designs from the beginning, then obviously a dominance that none of us want, but that’s a fact.
“But all in all, I think we have one more year to go, and then we welcome the new ones. As James said, they’re not 100% fixed yet, and we look forward to them.
“But honestly, I think the current regulations are well done and well-made, and we have had great racing behind one team.”