Force India’s Bob Fernley has questioned the legality of Formula 1’s brand new Strategy Group, which he has explained as lacking “ethical governance”.
On Monday, the Strategy Group, which has efficiently changed F1’s sporting and technical working teams, will adjourn for the very first time to talk about brand new laws.
Nevertheless, the concern discussed by Fernley and other bosses is that the Group does not consist of all 11 F1 groups. Instead, is it made up of simply six of the 18 voting, which comprises people from the FIA and FOM.
Those groups are Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes while Williams have actually been included for historic reasons. Lotus would be the sixth staff as they’re presently the highest position in the Constructors’ Championship outside the top four.
All groups had representation on the sporting and technical working group – which stay, albeit on a casual foundation – but they had been seen as sluggish whenever it emerged to shaping brand new guidelines, with unanimity needed.
Guidelines will henceforth be authorized by the Strategy Group by means of a vast majority vote.
This will mean that the smaller groups won’t have a voice in the sport’s future, leading to Fernley’s questioning of the brand new governance’s legitimacy.
“All the teams basically pay the same to go racing” Force India’s Deputy Team Principal told Telegraph Sport.
“The only differentials are in the drivers’ salaries and hospitality. However some teams haven’t got any say in how the sport is run. It could definitely be considered punishment of not attaining a dominant position.”
He included: “Some of the teams are already opposed to the legality of it.
“There’s real concern among some of the groups on the Strategy Group, especially the people whom are public companies. This might be not ethical governance.”
Among the things on Monday’s schedule that might provide smaller groups further cause for concern is the problem of customer vehicles.
As things appears, teams are presently permitted to share a tiny amount of so-called ‘listed components’ nevertheless the fear is that a relaxation of the guideline will allow whole vehicles to be sold.