New rules could deliver messy F1 season opener, says Perez

The FIA is getting tougher on driver aids this season – and two areas that are changing are that there are more restrictions on team radio, plus much less assistance with race starts.

Ally those tweaks with it being the first race back after a long winter, plus a tricky first corner at Albert Park, and Perez said on Tuesday that the scene is set for potential thrills.

“Definitely Turn 1 here can be a bit more adrenaline [packed] than any other race throughout the year,” he said during a media event at a funfair in Melbourne.

“I think getting here – with all the new regulations we have with the clutch, etc – it can create a bit of a mess during the race as well, not only the start.

“So it will be very interesting race as well, also with the new qualifying format. So it can vary a couple of things during the race.”

Unknown territory

Perez believes that over time drivers and teams will get used to the new restrictions in place, but reckons there is scope for more errors in Melbourne.

“As a driver you can get it wrong if you are not fully focused and aware of what you are doing,” he said about the new radio restrictions.

“I expect you have the best drivers in the world, so I rarely think there will be a problem with that. But I think the first race can be an adventure for the drivers, for all of us, but after that it will be a straightforward race.”

When asked by Motorsport.com about the new start procedures, he said: “We have been practising with it.

“You can get it wrong if you drop the clutch to the wrong position, if you don't do the right procedure. So it can be a bit of an adventure to the driver, to make sure you drop the clutch to the position you are supposed to do it – and that the hand doesn't go away from you.

“But I think after the first race everything will be straight to normal.”

He is equally sceptical that over the long term the new start rules will manage to shuffle things up away from the grid.

“I struggle to think that way. You have very clever engineers here, and the drivers are very experienced as well,” he said. “I struggle to think there will be much.

“I think it will be similar to the past where if you get the right position with the clutch that will be the biggest advantage rather than the driver manipulating the clutch.

"But we will see on Sunday how it goes for everyone – as it will be totally new for all of us.”

Qualifying let-down

Perez also said he found it strange that F1 had gone ahead with changes to qualifying, despite drivers having recently expressed their unhappiness about it in a meeting with the FIA.

“We gave our point of view. Now we just have to get on with it,” he said. “I find it a bit strange that they called us to give our point of view, when probably the decision was already taken.

“So in a way it was a bit strange, but we just have to get on with it – as do all the teams. And I am sure it will be quite normal after the first qualifying what we do.”