Ross Brawn says Formula One fans are enjoying the impeccably close competition this season thanks to the pay cap, and says next year’s regulation changes will bring the field even closer.
In his weekly column for the official F1 website, brawn said there is no doubt in his mind that the intense competition between Verstappen and Hamilton – which has seen them switching in and out of the championship lead – is as a result of these changes.
In his column he wrote; “There is no doubt in my mind that the cost cap and the rules changes that were implemented are having a positive impact on the closeness and intensity of the championship.”
With the cost cap limiting resources, teams are working even harder to improve their 2021 contenders with the little wiggle room they now have while putting most of their efforts into next year’s machinery.
“There is no capacity for a team to pour massive resource into a championship and try and run away with it,” Brawn explained.
“The resources are now limited and the teams are also focused on next year’s car, which is requiring a lot of time and resource.
“We still want a meritocracy. We still want the best team to win. But we don’t want them to win by a country mile simply because they’ve got a bigger budget than anyone else. It’s pleasing to see the way things are developing.”
As it stands, heading to Austin next weekend, Max Verstappen leads the drivers standings while Mercedes remain out front as the best performing constructor.
After taking a ten-place grid penalty and making a last minute decision that cost them points, Mercedes will no doubt bring their a-game to the US Grand Prix in their bid to outrun their closest competitors, Red Bull.
