F1 | Szafnauer: “The grid penalties are fair, they make Formula 1 fair”

The operations director Force India, Otmar Szafnauer, stated that engine and gearbox penalties lower costs and keep the championship fairer.

Ross Brawn, in view of the Italian Grand Prix, had stated that the leaders of the formula 1, were pushing to remove grid penalties as the system got out of control. TO Monza, nine of the twenty drivers lined up on the starting grid received a penalty, completely upsetting the qualifying results.

“If we had large sums of money -commented Szafnauer- I would agree with Brown, let's let everyone spend their money, we would then have a completely different Formula 1. Years ago, each driver had a set of engines and you could use one engine per race but a lot of money was spent. Next year we will find ourselves with three engines per driver, how can we reduce the motivation to say 'well, I don't care if there are three, I have money to spend so I'll use six?'. With penalties. They remove the incentive to spend money on engine development”.

The technical director of the Indian team also holds the same opinion, Andy green, who believes that starting grid penalties can make Formula 1 more attractive.

“What's wrong with giving penalties and mixing up the starting grid? We always talked about it to make the show better. We just got this system and now everyone is complaining because the grid is mixed up. Clarify your ideas guys! Who won “Driver of the day” in Monza? Ricciardo, who started sixteenth due to a penalty and finished fourth. If you tell me he's wrong, I don't agree.".

Jessica Cortellazzi