Veto right – Formula 1

(Press review) – The World Formula 1 Automotive Council unanimously approved the technical, sporting and financial regulations that will come into effect in the 2021 one day before the deadline set for October 31 last. As confirmed by Mattia Binotto himself, Ferrari decided on that occasion of do not resort to the right of veto, which he has as an historical team and to which he could appeal up to five days after the final decision on the new rules. The Prancing Horse stable has instead chosen to support the strong changes that will give a new face to the maximum car formula, paving the way for controversial points. Michael Schmidt, well-known journalist of the authoritative German newspaper Auto Motor und Sport, explained the reasons that led the Red Army of Maranello not to use the powerful decision-making tool.

Binotto: "Ferrari in favor of change"

"The Ferrari vote was a great surprise. On the eve of the last team meeting with the FIA ​​and F1 representatives, the impression had emerged that Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull, as well as the satellite teams Haas, Racing Point and Toro Rosso, would reject the new rules. (…) The top teams were dissatisfied with the distribution of the funds, as they believed they needed more money. Their tactic was therefore to delay the rule-making process for so long that nothing happened. With the U-turn of Ferrari, the wind was removed from the sails by the opponents: only with the support of the Maranello Mercedes and Red Bull team would they have had a foothold to postpone the change, and they therefore found themselves having to react quickly . Both now support the 2021 project, with the restriction that it is still necessary to improve the details ".

(…) Helmut Marko confirmed that Red Bull will remain faithful to Formula 1, provided that Honda continues to remain involved. (…) But a final decision from Tokyo is not expected until the season finale in Abu Dhabi. (…) Mercedes will remain on board even in 2021. (…) Pat Symonds, one of the fathers of the new technical regulations, wonders why the Mercedes has lasted so long: "Mercedes is the best team. They have the best engineers. Nothing better could happen to her than a new beginning. (…) The Formula 1 bosses apparently copied Bernie Ecclestone's old tug-of-war recipe for disputes over the 2004, 2009 and 2013 regulations: "Get Ferrari and you'll get the rest."

(…) (Resorting to veto, ed) Ferrari (…) would have risked with its customer teams, and understood how fragile the Formula 1 building is: with the veto it could have led to the collapse. (…) The Scuderia probably also recognized that Mercedes and Red Bull have advantages in aerodynamics (…). Nothing would be more convenient for the Ferrari than a situation in which the pilot and the engine matter more. Maranello has enough cash on hand to afford the most expensive drivers, and currently has the best engine. There could also have been concerns that the FIA ​​would have been a little more interested in the Ferrari engine's power advantage if the latter had vetoed the new regulations.

The new distribution of money also benefits Ferrari: five percent of the total will go to Maranello before it takes place. (…) Ferrari has maintained its veto in the correct manner, in a weakened form. In addition, the editors of the new rules promise some freedoms in the last development cycle of 2021 prototypes, which initially were not planned".
Michael Schmidt, Auto Motor und Sport, November 9, 2019