Formula 1 teams will face a tougher balancing act this year regarding the amount of effort it must devote to its respective car projects, according to McLaren boss Andreas Seidl.
Formula 1 teams are busy preparing their 2020 packages, ahead of the start of pre-season testing next month, but are conscious of the overhauled regulations that will come in for 2021.
Next year’s Sporting and Technical Regulations will be significantly overhauled while for the first time in Formula 1 history Financial Regulations – in the form of a cost cap – will be implemented.
“The speed of your 2020 car will determine to some degree when you switch all your resources towards 2021,” said Seidl.
“It’s a juggling act that we have every year, but it’s more extreme this time because of the change in technical regulations for 2021.
“We’re not going to sacrifice 2020; we want to have another good season because it’s important for the development of the team to have continuous improvement.”
Seidl took up his new role as McLaren’s team boss last May and the operation finished fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, marking its best classification since 2012.
Seidl remains confident that further improvements can be made through the 2020 campaign.
“I am very happy with the progress I see in the factory regarding the preparations for the 2020 season,” said Seidl.
“I think we have a very good understanding of the weaknesses the MCL34 had in 2019 and it is great to see how the entire team is working together very hard on improving.
“I’m optimistic that we can make the next step, which is to further reduce the lap time deficit to the top three teams.”
