Former FIA President Max Mosley believes Formula 1 has taken the “wrong direction” with regards to overhauled technical regulations, which will be introduced for the upcoming campaign.
Formula 1 cars are set to be significantly quicker this season compared to their predecessors, predominantly due to increased downforce levels and wider tyres from sole supplier Pirelli.
Mosley oversaw an array of regulation changes during his tenure as FIA President between 1993 and 2009, but is unconvinced that 2017’s tweaks are correct.
“My personal view is that it may have gone in the wrong direction," he told ITV News.
“I would have gone for less aero and perhaps more mechanical grip.
“Deliberately setting out to make the cars quicker is questionable.
“Because all the rules for the last 40 or 50 years brought in by the FIA have been to make the cars slower – either slower or safer, because speed equals danger obviously."
Mosley is nonetheless encouraged by the decision made by new owners Liberty Media to appoint Ross Brawn to run the sporting and technical side of Formula 1.
Brawn, 62, won championships with Benetton, Ferrari and his own eponymous outfit, before building Mercedes’ title-winning squad, during a lengthy career in the sport.
“Ross completely understands the sport and he understands what needs to be done and he’s got an absolutely first class analytical brain,” said Mosley.
“I think he’ll be an enormous asset to them and that side isn’t really what Liberty should be doing. Ross is outstanding so they made a good choice there.”
