Formula 1 has experienced a highly turbulent start to the season. Between the many criticisms raised after the opening three races and the enforced stoppage that prevented the scheduled events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia from taking place, the championship now finds itself ready to restart in Miami, strengthened by the introduction of changes designed to improve the on-track spectacle and make the action safer for the drivers.
From Miami, things change – Wolff: “Modifications introduced in line with F1 DNA”
The break has given teams the opportunity to analyse data and study regulatory interventions, particularly to address issues related to super-clipping. Work that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says he is currently very satisfied with: “We used the month-long break to carry out an analysis of the first races, to understand our weaknesses and to try to increase our performance.”
At the same time, rivals will have focused on improving their own cars. The month-long pause has been significant, and Wolff fears that the competitive order seen at the start of the season could change. For Mercedes, it may not be so straightforward to assert dominance over its competitors: “Our rivals will have done the same and will have used their time effectively,” the Austrian manager continued in the team’s official statements. “We expect a more competitive weekend in Miami. It is a challenge that we not only welcome, but approach with determination. This is Formula 1.”
Looking more broadly at the work carried out by Formula 1 during the break, he added: “We have engaged in constructive discussions during this period. The changes to the regulations represent an evolution, not a revolution. The improvements have been designed to increase the quality of racing and at the same time allow drivers to push to the limit. These are changes made in respect of Formula 1’s DNA. I am confident they can make the spectacle even more exciting in the future,” he concluded.