Mercedes consider 2021 rule changes "an early Christmas present"

Mercedes technical director James Allison thinks the regulation changes set to take place in 2021 are the biggest reform in the rules he's seen in his time in Formula 1, which is almost three decades.

F1 and its owner Liberty Media are set to make some radical changes for 2021, with a cost cap to be introduced for the first time in history in a bid to limit the gulf in spending between teams.

The wheel size will also balloon up to 18 inches while F1's current problem of 'dirty air' should be largely resolved as the number of aerodynamic components on the car will be significantly decreased.

\As an employee with the dominant team of the current era, Allison knows there will be a big target on Mercedes' back as he admits he's never seen changes like this before in his time in F1.

"It's definitely the biggest reform in my 29 years [in Formula 1]," the Brit told Auto Motor und Sport.

"Massive changes mean a massive challenge. That's how you have to see it as an engineer, as an opportunity instead of a risk.

"The rules were written the way they were written for a reason. As a team, we are only there to build the fastest possible racing car out of it. We consider it an early Christmas present."

While more parts in 2021 will be standardised than they are now, Allison argues this shouldn't take away from his freedom to find advantages compared to competitors.

"It's not like there's less freedom, the freedom is just different. There will be areas where there is more freedom or areas that may not have achieved as much lap time in the past, but will in the future."