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Brawn welcomes Hamilton input on future regulations

Formula 1 sporting boss Ross Brawn is delighted with Lewis Hamilton's readiness to contribute to Grand Prix racing's future and welcomes input from all the drivers.

Last weekend's processional French Grand Prix and the wide criticism of the sport it generated incited Hamilton to open up about F1's current state.

The five-time world champion pointed the finger at the sport's management structure and noted that the 2021 regulation overhaul was "nowhere near where it needs to be", a view garnered from last week's FIA summit in Paris which he attended along with Nico Hulkenberg and GPDA chief Alex Wurz.

Hamilton did however express his eagerness to participate in the rule-making process in the future, a stance Brawn welcomed, with meetings already scheduled in the near future.

"I’m happy Lewis has confirmed his willingness to make his own contribution in the coming months, and we can’t wait to work with him, particularly in each of the three meetings now scheduled," said Brawn, speaking in his usual post-GP debrief.

"We know well that Formula 1 needs to make an important change in direction if it wants to maintain its position as one of the most followed sporting spectacles in the world.

"All of the key stakeholders – ourselves, the FIA and the teams – agree on the objectives and there is broad agreement on the major principles, such as the introduction of the budget cap and a fairer distribution of the revenue, while on the technical aspects we, and the FIA, have worked together with engineers from all the teams.

"It will be great to have an input directly from the drivers."

Brawn denied that drivers had been shut out of the rule-making process in the past.

"The door for drivers has always been open and it’s a pity that so often in the past this opportunity has not been taken by all the parties, and it is great to see this new initiative," said Brawn.

"To sum up, Lewis, we are delighted with yours and all of the drivers' contributions."

Brawn commended Mercedes for its remarkable achievements, marked by the Silver Arrows squad's 100 percent win record so far in 2019.

But F1's sporting boss underlined the sport's crucial need for greater diversity in success.

"If Mercedes keeps up this pace it could seal the Constructors’ Championship by Monza, with a third of the season still left!" said Brawn.

"Let’s be clear: Lewis, Valtteri and Mercedes are not to blame for a season verging on perfection, and it should be obvious that the rule changes we want to introduce are not directed against a team that is rewriting the record books.

"But we must all understand that the sport we love needs more competition, so that other teams can also aspire to podium finishes and it is not just a few powerful teams that dominate."

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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.

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