F1 revving up for changes

Solving a 'scare story'

F1's strict testing rules mean these cars aren't on track, they're only in simulations made by the teams. Sometimes that can throw up alarming results, Tombazis said.

"When there's a scare story of 'OK, I drove the car and it did XYZ,' in 99 percent of the cases (of) that XYZ that maybe has worried the driver or a team, we then sit down and resolve it," he said.

One key area where rules could still adapt is how much work the drivers have to do. The new rules' emphasis on electric power means judging when and how to deploy that power could be a key skill. It's not yet clear how much of that will be automated.

Tombazis said the "extra work" of managing a car is already a key skill and forms a big part of the team radio chat that is so popular with fans, but "what we don't want to do is to create a situation where it goes to the other extreme, where the driving becomes like a chess game where it's just a matter of energy management and energy deployment."

Avoiding 'eternal misery'

The new rules keep the turbo hybrid engine design first introduced in 2014, but with more emphasis on electrical power. Many in F1 expect Mercedes, the engines of which have powered teams to nine constructors' title since 2014, will be the manufacturer to beat.

Struggling manufacturers can get exemptions allowing them to spend above the cost cap to develop upgrades for engines that are deemed too uncompetitive or unreliable. The FIA will check every six races to see who is eligible for the boost.

The cost cap "is essential for the financial sustainability of the sport, so I would obviously defend that to death," Tombazis said.

"But, on the other hand, it creates a problem that, if you are behind in performance in a significant manner, and you cannot outspend to recover the performance, you may be condemned to eternal misery by being eternally behind."

It won't be an instant fix. Tombazis emphasized. It just gives the manufacturer a chance to research a solution.

"We're not adding any artificial performance to any car or artificial ballast on any car, or anything like that," he said. "This is absolutely not something that will ever happen in Formula One."