Todt "nervous" F1 2017 grid isn't close enough

Although the new faster and more challenging cars have been praised by drivers and fans, Todt has suggested one issue that has come to light from the 2017 rules revamp is that the spread of performance between outfits is too large.

Speaking to selected media ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, Todt said: “I am very much looking forward to seeing the race, but a bit nervous because I think that it will be too much difference between the cars during the race.

"So we should hope that the gap is able to be tightened.”

Competition essential

Todt thinks it important that F1 delivers a proper title fight this year, and he is encouraged that Ferrari appears to have closed the gap on Mercedes.

However, he cites a two-second margin between pole position and the first non Mercedes, Red Bull or Ferrari as too much for delivering a compelling fight.

“Ferrari did a good step forward with new regulations, [it is] quite impressive,” he said. “Mercedes is still very strong, there was a lot of speculation about the second driver, but for me there has never been a doubt that the second driver would be very competitive to the first driver. You could see that yesterday.

“And if you are very strong in any F1 team and you get the best car in the field, then there in no doubt that you will be able to be a strong contender.

“Red Bull seem to be a bit behind, and honestly I am a bit concerned that between first and seventh or eighth, it is about two seconds. So I think still the gap is too big.

“We will really dream of having the 10 first cars in seven or eight tenths and at the moment it is not yet happening. So again you have a lot of reasons on that, but clearly it is too big a discrepancy between the small budgets and bigger budgets, and the playing field should be much closer.”.

Cars look great

Todt suggests that overtaking being potentially harder is a price worth paying for having faster and more challenging cars – and he believes the 2017 crop of cars has delivered on the promise.

“They look great. We need to see a race. I think – probably overtaking will not be easy as we would hope it would be. Aerodynaic influence – which is very important – because there was an aero regulation and it is very difficult to get close to a car. So that is something that needs to be addressed.

“But again everybody wanted cars more difficult to drive. Are they more difficult to drive? I understand they are more difficult to drive. Quicker in the corners? They are quicker in the corners.”