© Jiri Krenek for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz says “there is a reasonably commonly held opinion” in the F1 paddock that “they only changed the rules” in 2022 “to stop Mercedes’ dominance”.
The big Formula 1 rule change that came into effect in 2022, completely shook up the Formula 1 pecking order, especially when it comes to the top of the grid.
After Mercedes won eight Constructors’ titles in a row, in 2022 they were not able to consistently challenge the frontrunners – Red Bull and Ferrari.
Not only that, but after the rule change Red Bull completely dominated the 2022 season, and after the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix, it seems they even extended their advantage over the competition.
Mercedes on the other hand seems to be in even worse condition that they were last year.
While Speaking on the Sky Sports’ F1 Vodcast ahead of the start of the 2023 season, analyst Ted Kravitz said the F1 paddock believes the biggest reason why the FIA decided to shake up the rules, was to “stop Mercedes’ dominance”.
“There is a reasonably commonly held opinion among some people in the paddock that they only changed the rules, or part of the reason why they changed the rules, was to stop Mercedes dominance,” Kravitz said.
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“Well, that certainly worked, didn’t it?
“They also changed the rules with the stated aim of improving the racing. It did do that to a large degree.
“But in 2021 the championship was decided on the last lap, and in 2022 it was decided in Japan with four races to go.
“So it didn’t exactly close up the field in terms of the championship, did it?
“It meant Red Bull got it right so much that they are now the favourites going in [the 2023 season].
“That dominance, I think, will run probably until the next rule change in 2026,” the Briton concluded.
