F1 bosses address 'deckchairs on the Titanic' accusation over major overhaul

Senior F1 bosses have rejected the claim that the recent rule changes made by the FIA to fix the technical regulations are akin to 'rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic.'

Throughout the April break, a series of discussions were held between the FIA, F1, the teams and the drivers to find solutions to glaring weaknesses in the technical regulations from the first three races.

Ultimately, the main changes introduced were to allow super-clipping up to the full 350kw capacity of the batteries, which was previously capped at 250kw, and the reduction of the energy allowed to be deployed to 7MJ from 8MJ. 

Drivers felt that the changes had worked to some extent in Miami, but this is an energy-rich circuit, with the high number of braking zones allowing the battery to be re-charged constantly. 

However, given the perceived fundamental flaws to the regulations, such as the 50-50 split in terms of power output between the ICE and the batteries, which is being changed for 2027, Audi's Mattia Binotto and Ferrari's Fred Vasseur have firmly rejected the idea that F1 and the FIA are not taking drastic action and only simply working around the edges on the regulations. 

"As in not driving flat out, it’s not a good reason. I think in the past, when we had to do a lot of fuel saving, they were not driving flat out as well," Audi's Binotto told media, including RacingNews365, when asked if the recent changes amounted to the deckchairs on the White Star Line ship, which sank in April 1912 after hitting an iceberg on its maiden voyage to New York.

"I can only say what our drivers are saying; they are very positive about the regulations. They are enjoying the car, I think, and I’m not sure that all the drivers are not enjoying it.

"The regulations are different to the past, yes. Drivers need to adapt, yes. A different driving style is required, yes. But it is still F1. It’s still a challenge. It’s still a race and fighting on track, so fighting for the fastest lap in quali, in the race, and at the end there is a winner and a loser, and I think that’s why it’s our sport."

Ferrari's Vasseur also waded in, and believed that some "drivers are more vocal than others" in voicing their criticism.

"I think I’m aligned with Mattia that we always have the same situation. You have drivers more vocal than some others," he said.

"I think a couple of guys, they were mega vocal in 2022 about the regulation and some much less, and it was like this every single new regulation. 

"It's the DNA of the drivers. They want to fight, they want to be on top, and for sure, [George] Russell or [Kimi] Antonelli are a bit less vocal than some other guys at the back."