Motor racing-F1 braced for disputes over new 2022 rules

The series is set for its most radical regulatory overhaul in decades, aimed at levelling the playing field and improving wheel-to-wheel racing.

Formula One is braced for disputes over teams' interpretations of this season's new rules, but will now have the power to crack down swiftly on any outfit trying to use loopholes to circumvent them, the sport's motorsport head Ross Brawn said.

The series is set for its most radical regulatory overhaul in decades, aimed at levelling the playing field and improving wheel-to-wheel racing. 

In the past, Formula One teams have occasionally protested each other's interpretations of the rules and Brawn is aware that the new regulations could spark disputes as engineers seek out loopholes in order to steal a march on their rivals.

"It wouldn’t be F1 without disputes," the 67-year-old, who as team principal of his eponymous Brawn team had to fend off protests over the car's double diffuser at the start of their title-winning campaign in 2009, told reporters. "...So it would be naive to think we’re not going to have arguments."

The governing FIA, which has been inspecting teams' 2022 challengers for compliance with the new rules, has already found some "surprises" the body's single seater head Nikolas Tombazis said. But there had not been any massive "alarm bells" so far, he added.

Brawn said the altered governance system, which allows changes to be made with the support of the FIA, commercial rights holder FOM and at least eight of the 10 teams, would discourage outfits from straying too far from the regulations in their search for a loophole. It would also give the sport the ability to outlaw anything too controversial.

"If you know that eight teams and the FIA and F1 can stop you doing something if they feel it’s wrong then you’re a bit more circumspect in doing it knowing that that could be an issue," he said. 

"So I think the governance is something which also gives another layer of protection."

The 2022 season has a tough act to follow after 2021 served up plenty of drama and the closest title battle in decades between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. 

The change in regulations could spread the field out, Brawn cautioned, but will eventually put more teams in the mix.

"There will be a bit of disparity in the beginning," he said. "But I’m confident these rules and this regime and this culture will lead to much better racing."