Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has strongly defended Formula 1’s controversial new racing format against criticism from drivers and former champions, arguing that the current system produces more authentic competition than the previous DRS era. Speaking during Friday’s FIA press conference at the Miami Grand Prix, Vasseur pushed back against suggestions that the 2024 season’s racing has become overly “artificial” due to new regulations governing energy deployment and overtaking modes.
The French team boss directly countered claims from critics including Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, who have expressed concerns about the complexity of the new rules and their impact on driving. “I would be less harsh than you on the show of the first three events,” Vasseur told reporters. “Honestly, we had good races, a lot of overtaking.” He pointed to the entertaining wheel-to-wheel battles between Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton as examples of the quality racing produced under the current regulations.
Vasseur’s most pointed defense came when addressing comparisons to F1’s Drag Reduction System, which was introduced in 2011 to aid overtaking. “You can say that perhaps you have the feeling that it’s a bit artificial but for me it’s much less artificial than the DRS,” he stated. “DRS was just to push on the button. Today, it’s energy management and it’s coming from the drivers or from the team. It’s not artificial at all.”
The debate over racing authenticity has intensified following criticism from 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell, who described some overtakes as “totally false.” Mansell told Autosport that computer-controlled power deployment creates situations where drivers have no control over when they receive extra power, leading to unnatural racing scenarios. He cited Norris’s own comments about being forced into overtaking maneuvers he didn’t want to attempt.
Despite acknowledging that the current system requires fine-tuning, Vasseur emphasized the collaborative approach being taken with the FIA to improve the regulations. “Thanks to the FIA we had the capacity to discuss after each event to try to improve the system,” he explained. “Regarding the future, we have different options on the table. I think it will be soon time to discuss about the different options.” The ongoing debate highlights the challenge F1 faces in balancing exciting racing with driver skill and authentic competition.