• 2010 Rules

No rule changes in 2010 Ecclestone admits

ESPNF1 Staff
March 17, 2010 « Virgin can emulate Red Bull, says Branson | »
Bernie Ecclestone: 'We cannot change the rules. It would take far too long and it's too difficult' © Getty Images
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Bernie Ecclestone has admitted Formula One must for now live with its current set of rules. After the processional Bahrain grand prix, there has been widespread criticism of the current rulebook and calls for immediate changes.

Ecclestone has proposed that external engineers in future pen the regulations, and is also pushing again his controversial proposal for circuit 'short cuts'.

"Some might wonder why the teams have options on tyres at all," he said. "Maybe if we only gave them a soft compound they would have to stop twice but I am not sure that they will vote unanimously for the mandatory two-stop race which Red Bull proposed.

"It is basically the same problem we have had for the last few years about downforce and cars not being able to get close to the one in front to create more overtaking. The teams know this but they won't do anything about it because each team looks after its own interests, trying to win."

Reinstating refuelling is also now impractical due to the designs of the 2010 cars, leading Ecclestone to admit that the rules for now are set in stone.

"We cannot change the rules. It would take far too long and it's too difficult. F1 is now a democracy. And all the teams voted for these rules, so now they must also deal with them."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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