Formula 1 Managing Director of Motorsports Ross Brawn says the Bahrain Grand Prix acted as further proof that the large performance gap between the leading three teams and the remaining squad must be addressed.
Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly led the midfield charge throughout the weekend in Bahrain, but qualified over a second behind nearest rival Daniel Ricciardo, and finished the race almost a minute adrift of Lewis Hamilton.
It has been a theme in Formula 1 across recent years, with last season’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix the only instance since mid-2016 that a team from outside the top three (Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull) has claimed a podium finish.
“The different strategies produced a thrilling duel between Ferrari and Mercedes, even though that didn't include much overtaking, but behind the top group there were plenty of passing moves,” said Brawn.
"The most exciting one came from [Lewis] Hamilton early on in his rise through the order, when he dealt with [Fernando] Alonso, [Nico] Hulkenberg and [Esteban] Ocon in one fell swoop in the braking area at Turn 1
"However, it's a shame that we were pretty much watching two grands prix: one conducted in the absence of Red Bull was a battle between two teams, Ferrari and Mercedes, and then there was a race involving everybody else.
"Just six drivers completed the full 57 laps and the gap between third-placed Hamilton and fourth-placed Gasly there was a huge 55 seconds.
“However, the size of the performance gap is not surprising when you consider that out of last year's 60 podium places, just one went to a driver not driving a Ferrari, Mercedes or Red Bull – Lance Stroll, for Williams in Baku.
"It is further proof that we need to do something. It is one of the goals outlined in our vision for the Formula 1 of the future, which we presented to the teams and to the FIA last Friday in Bahrain.
“Along with the organising body, we want to work on achieving this to make this sport even more spectacular and appealing. Above all we need to do it for our biggest asset: the fans.”
Not since Australia 2013, when Lotus won with Kimi Raikkonen, has a team outside of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull taken victory.
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