Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has made one last plea for Formula One to reconsider major rule changes for 2017.
The Strategy Group and Formula One Commission are meeting on Tuesday to finalise a series of rule changes for next year, including a revamp of the aerodynamic regulations and changes to the engine regulations based on cost, performance convergence, supply and noise. Wolff argues that the current regulations are starting to deliver good racing and the sport should allow them to flourish rather than make big changes 2017.
"We have an important week ahead for the sport, with our final Strategy Group meeting to define the regulations for 2017," Wolff said. "After three grand prix weekends so far in 2016, we have seen that performance between the teams is converging to create great racing. Whether we have the reactivity as a group to recognise that and consider retaining a regulatory framework that is working well remains to be seen."
However, Red Bull's Christian Horner argues the opposite, saying the new regulations will provide an opportunity for other teams to challenge Mercedes.
"I think the change is a positive change," Horner said. "It's going to make the cars more dramatic, more challenging for the drivers to drive. It's not a totally clean sheet of paper but it's a significant change so it will maybe shuffle the order up a bit. I think that while the racing has been good this yeah I think a shuffling of the pack is not a bad thing."