FIA-president Todt happy with Verstappen: 'Finally a title fight'

Jean Todt, president of the FIA, is happy that there is finally a fight for the championship. Mercedes have been the best on the grid for eight years in a row now and so far nobody has come close enough to beat them. Even though Todt admires the team, he still thinks it is a shame.

In 2022 the regulations will change, something that was originally planned for 2021. It is hoped that the new rules will bring the teams closer together. Todt gives his opinion about the current Mercedes dominance in an interview with Corriere.it: "Domination also exists in football and tennis: Mercedes wins on merit. The others have to accelerate to beat them. Fortunately, there is now the duel with Max Verstappen." Still, the FIA president believes there is room for improvement. "I would rather see more teams and more drivers involved. And I repeat: F1, and motorsport, need a stronger Ferrari."

Admiration for Mercedes

That fact that there is a big difference between Mercedes and the other teams is obvious to everyone. Todt believes Ferrari can do better: "I think there is the desire and ability. At the level of drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are among the best."

According to him, the following is missing: "A whole: car, engine, chassis, aerodynamics. You have to have everything at the highest level. A few thousandths of a second can decide. I admire this domination of Mercedes, even if I don't like it and would like more competition: but the team and Lewis Hamilton have been the best for eight years. They could have relaxed, but instead their motivation and hunger for more grew."