Brown: F1 Must Ignore Team Pushback & Fix "Broken Model"

Brown: F1 Must Ignore Team Pushback & Fix "Broken Model"

By: Francis Joseph

Liberty Media has no choice but to push through resistance from some teams over plans for a shake-up of Formula 1’s "broken model", says McLaren CEO Zak Brown.

The sport’s owners are pushing ahead with an overhaul of F1 from 2021, when a new car concept, a budget cap and a fairer revenue distribution model should serve to make grand prix racing closer and more exciting.

But not all teams are yet convinced by Liberty’s vision, with the big manufacturer outfits like Ferrari and Mercedes sceptical about some of the proposals.

Brown, who has been involved in the discussions with Liberty, thinks it essential the sport’s bosses do not back away from making what he thinks are essential changes.

“We know change in F1 is difficult, and we also know F1 today is a broken model, both as a business and as an on track product, that is going to need to be changed,” explained Brown.

“Those that are winning today will obviously feel the compromise about what is happening, and those are not winning today are going to like the plan."

“It was inevitable that Chase [Carey, F1 chairman] would bring forward a plan that some people like and some people don’t like. But he needs to move forward with what he thinks is in the best interest of the sport."

“At the end of the day, what is in the best interests of the sport in the long term is in the best interests of everyone, if people can get past the short-term compromises that they need to make. I think today’s F1, if it is stays as is, I think everyone eventually loses.”