F1's managing director, Ross Brawn insists that the "knife-edge" 2021 season is proof that change was needed.

While attention is focussed on the six points that currently separate title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, with just six races remaining, it's easy to forget that the season hasn't been entirely dominated by Mercedes and Red Bull this year.

In Italy, Daniel Ricciardo claimed victory for McLaren, while in Hungary it was Alpine's Esteban Ocon who stood atop the podium.

Admittedly, both wins were totally unexpected and went against the form seen for much of the season, but nonetheless few would say that 2021 has been predictable, far from it.

Indeed, speaking in the wake of Sunday's race, Christian Horner said that just as things get interesting, it seems a "shame" that the sport faces a massive rules overhaul.

One of the chief architects of those rule changes, Ross Brawn, insists that the changes are needed, and that these, together with moves like the budget cap, finally introduced this year, are improving the sport by doing what was intended, levelling the playing field.

"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," he says in his Turkish Grand Prix debrief on the sport's official website.

"There is no capacity for a team to pour massive resource into a championship and try and run away with it," he adds. "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," he insists. "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."

Referring to Horner's comment, which has been echoed by others within the paddock, Brawn says: "This weekend I heard some comments around whether the 2022 regulation changes are needed given we're currently enjoying such a golden season.

"I think that fails to understand the fact that while the championship is thrilling this year the cars still struggle to follow each other closely and create overtaking opportunities.

"While the 2022 rules won't change the situation overnight I think they are a much better platform to improve the racing on the track and I'm sure that once the new rules have settled down, we will see some incredible races and championships in the future, with even more wheel to wheel action.

"When I ran teams, there was no silver bullet," he adds. "It was a case of chipping away at everything to make incremental improvements. I believe it's the same with the sport."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 14/10/2021 23:58

"@ Elsiebc...I must admit that I'm really a driver supporter before being a team person. Yes, there are some teams who appeal more than others but I am always a person person to start with. Despite all of the intricacies I am still a big follower of the overall series but balk at the attitude of some of the competitors, especially some team principals. It is they who define the 'flavour'....the changes coming will further define the 'quality' alongside, hopefully, some 'equality'. Like @ kdxrider though things may well stay as they are but unless you try you simply will never know. With a closed up field there are more opportunities for upsets!."

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2. Posted by kdxrider, 14/10/2021 15:44

"I'm going to go out on a limb here and say we will see pretty much the same as we're getting. When you have the ""top drivers"" of the world (apart from some pay-to-drive guys), and you have cars which all perform the same, you will just have 'follow the leader'. They will be waiting for the guy in front to make a mistake ---
But I'll be happy if I'm proven wrong"

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3. Posted by elsiebc, 14/10/2021 14:38

"@kenji "all they need is some equality of cars and they will run for it." I thought Formula One was also a constructors championship. That's why I enjoyED it."

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4. Posted by kenji, 14/10/2021 4:39

"@ GWS...Really? No matter how you 'slice and dice' the facts, the results are there for all to see.One and one half teams have dominated this era emphatically and there have been minimal changes during that period. I for one do not live in the past, which is a reference point that's all, however the latest era starting in '14 with the intro of hybrid PU's has been exceptionally boring IMO and of course lots of others share that sentiment as well. Mercedes have won, over the past six years an average of 88% of all races. If you're happy with kind of result then it's obvious which team/driver you support. "

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5. Posted by Great_white_shark, 14/10/2021 0:53

"It seems that a lot of people equal their team/driver losing to epitome of boredom. if one team was running away with the title every year I could understand that but the fact of the matter is we have had some of the best racing we have ever witnessed in F1.

In 2015 it was a battle down to the last lap of the last race to decide the champion. In 17-18 you had Ferrari ahead until Vettel made too many mistakes one year and Ferrari blew it the new year. Now you have a battle between Max and Lewis going down to the final races.

Let us not lie to ourselves and pretend this era has been a disappointment from a show perspective. I suggest you go watch old races from the F1 Vault when there were huge gaps between cars and half of the drivers had DNF's. F1 has never been so exciting unless you cant enjoy the racing unless your team comes out on top? That sounds like a YOU problem "

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6. Posted by kenji, 13/10/2021 9:55

"Without knowing in advance how the pecking order will be constructed I must say that if it all comes to pass then we'll see better racing next year. ATN we are still witnessing the same old same old faces on the podium with very few exceptions. If the new rule changes can really open the order up then that has to be good for all concerned...with the exception of Mercedes and Red Bull. For too long they've held on to the top spot and there are other teams that will hopefully rise to the challenge like they are threatening to do so even now. Some of those teams have potential WC's right now...all they need is some equality of cars and they will run for it. I am really looking forward to next season more than I have for a very long time. If the F1/FIA had correctly read the tea leaves a long while back we'd all be far happier. Eight years of one teams domination has to be the epitome of boredom and farce."

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Brawn stands by regulation changes

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