Brawn imposed Strategy Group attendance rule change

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F1's sporting manager Ross Brawn was largely responsible for allowing all teams to attend Strategy Group meetings in the future.

Up to now, only six teams on the grid - Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren, Williams and Force India - participated in the group's meetings, which were also attended by representatives of the FIA and FOM.

In the group's meeting last month, the subject of allowing the remainder of F1's teams to attend the SG's sessions as observers was brought up.

But Brawn insisted that the change in policy would happen and was not up for debate or would not be put to a formal vote.

Sauber expected Wehrlein to miss four races

Opening up the Strategy Group's meetings to all teams is a step towards every party having a voice in the future but Sauber's Monisha Kaltenborn, while welcoming the change, believes it does not go far enough.

"We at least know what is being said there," she said.

"We can theoretically have the opportunity to understand why certain proposals are coming from there.

"Earlier on, we couldn’t understand why they were coming up with certain decisions - nobody could, actually.

"Maybe that helps us a bit more in getting a better understanding as you can see what the different views are.

"But we don’t feel more included, because that would mean we could participate in the discussion. At the end of the day, the group can’t work in the way it is.

"We don’t agree with any group having this kind of decision power."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.