Horner: Pushing back 2021 rules deadline makes financial sense

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Red Bull's Christian Horner believes that extending the 2021 regulations deadline from end of June to December would not only relieve pressure on the teams, it would also make financial sense.

The FIA, Formula 1 and the teams theoretically have until June 30 to finalize the massive regulation overhaul that will be ushered in at the start of 2021.

While progress on the future regulation format was made earlier this week in London at a crucial meeting of all three parties, the June deadline is still seen by many as too tight to determine and freeze the technical regulations.

Sufficient time must be allowed for teams to prepare for the overhaul, thus the formal 18-month advance notice period imposed by the FIA's rules.

F1 makes progress on 2021 rules but teams mum on specifics

However, given the pressure constraints on the teams and the near-impossible task of meeting the deadline, Horner believes an extension must be granted and could actually be beneficial to the teams.

"There is an energy driving things forward at the moment and it is about time. Hopefully during the next few weeks we can get results," Horner told Sky F1, commenting on this week's London meetings.

"It will be this year but there are so many factors to tidy up like income, costs, technical regulations.

"I actually think the technical regulations being released too soon is going to cost more money anyway so perhaps at the end of the year would be a better time to release the technical regulations.

"Otherwise some teams would basically stockpile, bring resources in and specialist teams on these new regulations so I think it coming out later would be better."

Asked whether a December deadline would still allow everyone enough time to design and engineer their 2021 contenders, Horner saw no issues with the compressed preparation period.

"As long as it is by December, I think that would be fine, then it is not too late for the little teams and not too late for the big teams," concluded the Red Bull team boss.

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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.