David Coulthard: Formula One fans may have to wait beyond Miami to judge the impact of the new regulation changes
Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has tempered expectations of the new regulations changes, arguing that it is unlikely that fans will see whether the changes have worked as early as the upcoming Miami Grand Prix.
During the five-week break between the Japanese and Miami Grands Prix, the FIA and Formula One management met with the teams and other stakeholders to discuss adjustments to the regulations. This followed complaints about energy management and safety concerns following Oliver Bearman’s accident at Suzuka.
Although refinements to the regulations have been agreed, Coulthard explained that it could take a few races before the full impact of these changes becomes apparent. “I don’t think we’ll necessarily see the results of those changes in Miami because of the nature of the circuit there,” the former Red Bull driver explained on the Up To Speed podcast.
“There are a lot of slow and medium-speed corners there. There’s not really anything big, substantial – no iconic corner section where you say, ‘Wow, I really saw the driver or the car do something special there’. So I think we need to give it a few races.”
“But I do think it will make a difference. There’s no question about it. And it might reduce some of the overtaking on track that some people have been happy about,“ said the Scot.
”But is a power reduction on your opponent – while you have the boost available to you because you were in the right place on the track at the right time to activate the boost trigger – really an overtake? It’s a performance boost, isn’t it? It’s an increase in power.”
“So I think we might see less of these overtaking maneuvers on track, but they will be more meaningful. It will be more about how the driver positions the car and tries to use the slipstream. Yes, you’ll still have an element of boost, but that’s basically what DRS has been in previous years. So I’m optimistic.”
The Miami Grand Prix will take place May 1-3 at the Miami International Autodrome around the Hard Rock Stadium.
