The highly-anticipated 2021 Formula One regulations have officially been postponed to 2022 amid continuing uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 virus.
The decision was made following a unanimous agreement between the FIA, F1, and all of the teams. All 10 team bosses had discussed the decision earlier in the week and initially, all but Ferrari had agreed. The prancing horse then came out in full support of the decision after discussing the ramifications internally.
“All parties further discussed the current situation of the 2020 championship and how the sport will react to the ongoing challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the FIA said in a statement. “Due to the currently volatile financial situation this has created, it has been agreed that teams will use their 2020 chassis for 2021, with the potential freezing of further components to be discussed in due course.”
The FIA added that all parties were discussing how to save costs, as the mounting list of canceled races, combined with the suffering global economy, is expected to inflict a major financial hit to the sport’s constructors and suppliers. In response to this, the 2021 financial regulations, meant to reduce costs, will still go into effect as planned.
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So far, no one knows when the 2020 season will resume. The Spanish and Dutch Grands Prix have been canceled, as well as — for the first time since 1954 — the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo. The Australian Grand Prix was also officially canceled (not merely suspended, as it had been originally). Thus the most optimistic start of the season would be in Azerbaijan in early June.
The delay of the 2021 technical regulations will be a major blow to the fans, who were already regarding the 2020 season as an extension of 2019. The 2021 season was set to be very dramatic not just because of significant aerodynamic changes but also because of new engine deals (McLaren ditching Renault for Mercedes) and most driver contracts expiring.
Combined with frozen development, also in place because of COVID-19, it could mean that whichever team finds itself in front in 2020 will end up being the de facto favorite for 2021. But, who knows — as F1 boss Chase Carey is fond of saying, everything is in flux, and we’ll just have to wait and find out how things turn out.
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Kurt Verlin was born in France and lives in the United States. Throughout his life he was always told French was the language of romance, but it was English he fell in love with. He likes cats, music, cars, 30 Rock, Formula 1, and pretending to be a race car driver in simulators; but most of all, he just likes to write about it all. See more articles by Kurt.