F1 changing, off to Europe

The F1 world has made the move to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, and traditionally the Barcelona- based event produces a plethora of upgrades for the teams. 

One can only guess at what these will be, which of the 11 teams will gain an advantage and who will be able to challenge the all-dominant Mercedes.

So far we have witnessed McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari chasing the Stuttgart sledgehammer. McLaren has gone backwards since the very promising first race result; and there was some joy in the Maranello pit when Fernando Alonso took third spot in China. 

Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel has not had the greatest start, but team-mate Daniel Ricciardo has kept the Red Bull flag flying and could be the man to watch this season. 

Whateverit the teams bring to Spain it will have to be significant, as Mercedes are not going to be sitting on their laurels.

They are sure to have a number of upgrades to ensure that both Hamilton and Rosberg keep the championship lead. 

Unless someone arrives with something really special, this season could be a one team affair. Let’s hope that will not be the case. 

Interesting news was the Biggin Hill meeting between the FIA, all eleven team bosses and F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone to discuss cost cutting. 

Just recently we were informed the cost cap had been scrapped, as the Strategy Group did not believe it was necessary and should be replaced by regulations limiting expenditure. This was met with a very negative reaction from those teams not included in the exclusive club that is the Strategy Group. 

In fact, Marussia, Caterham, Sauber and Force India sent a letter to the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile), stating that “Discrimination against any single team would on the face of it seem to be an abuse of a dominant position. The European Union competition laws are supposed to prevent abuse of market power and ensure that free competition prevails.” 

This action resulted in the news that the European Commission is “monitoring the situation”. Not a scenario that the F1 powers would relish so a meeting was rapidly arranged, with all teams participating.

Some suggestions from the bigger teams has been the banning of tyre warmers a three year fazing in of new regulations which, includes standardised components, and 18 inch tyres, to name a few. 

It is now down to the four smaller teams to react to these proposals, and an answer is expected in the next week. 

I must admit that standardised components and a FIA homologated anything puts me in mind of the now defunct A1 series, where all the cars were the same, just set up varied.

Hopefully F1 is not going down that path. 

Will standardisation of components lead to innovative engineering, which will filter through to the motor industry, the aim of the regulation changes this season? 

I have my doubts.