Formula One chiefs to meet Ferrari but Mercedes defend rule changes

FIA chairman and Bernie Ecclestone to meet Italian team German chief describes prospect of change as absurdThe Bahrain Grand Prix will take place against a background of unrest in the F1 paddock, with some leading figures unhappy about the new rules and regulations. There will be a meeting between the FIA president, Jean Todt, F1’s chief executive, Bernie Ecclestone, and the Ferrari chairman, Luca Di Montezemolo, who is worried about the new fuel-efficiency regulations and much else in the sport. Ferrari say they have received more than 50,000 replies to their online survey, claiming that 83% said they were unhappy with the new rules. There is support from another of this season’s underachievers, Red Bull, whose designer Adrian Newey, said here that the new hybrid engine was introduced "without proper thought". But the Mercedes motorsport chief, Toto Wolff, has described as "absurd" the prospect of changes being made this season. The German team won the opening two races in Australia and Malaysia, and have Nico Rosberg on pole for Sunday’s grand prix. Continue reading…

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