The situation becomes more critical next year with the switch to heavier, new
turbo-charged engines with Energy Recovery Systems.
It is thought that there will be no room for ballast at all, even for the
lighter drivers, meaning heavier drivers will be slower by around 0.035 sec
per lap for every kilogram they are over the minimum weight limit.
“It is a concern for a driver like me,” said Di Resta, who is still sweating
on his future with Force
India. The Scot was being spoken of a year ago as a potential
candidate for a drive with McLaren, Ferrari or Mercedes.
Now his future is looking less rosy.
“I am at the upper end, to the point where I am three or four kilos under what
I would like to be to be healthy.
“I’m four kilos lighter than when I started in F1, and I was pretty much on
the limit of what I thought I could get to then.
“I’d like to see the weight limit raised because it would make no difference
to the smaller drivers.
“It’s a little bit of an unfair advantage to be a smaller guy because not only
can they move the weight in the car to the right place but they can keep
themselves in a healthier state.”
Asked whether his future in the sport was at risk as Force India may move for
a smaller driver, Di Resta added: “It’s a bit of a waiting game. I’ve built
up a good relationship with the team and I think I’ve done a good job for
them over this season to ensure they know what I can do.”
Webber, who weighs over 22lb more than his Red Bull team-mate Sebastian
Vettel, pointed out that the issue was “nothing new” but said that it was
difficult to get teams and drivers to agree to changes.
“Especially since Kers [power-boost systems] arrived it’s been a challenge for
the heavy guys,” Webber said. “But that’s the way it is, you do your best
with what you have. They should look at trying to help the bigger guys in
the future.
“We asked them a few years ago but they said no. The light drivers should be
pushing as well, but obviously they don’t.”
Whitmarsh admitted it would be difficult to reach consensus on the issue.
“There are grounds to raise the weight limit, but F1 doesn’t work like that,”
he said. “Self-interest will prevail. Teams that think it’s OK will block
any change.”
Meanwhile, further concerns were raised on Friday regarding the proposed
22-race calendar for next year, with Ferrari’s sporting director, Massimo
Rivola, describing back-to-back race weekends in Monaco and New Jersey –
part of an unprecedented triple header with Montreal the third and final
instalment – as “almost impossible” from a logistical point of view.
It is the first time a “flyaway” has been scheduled back-to-back with a
European event.
“To be honest I’m still hoping we come back to the 20 races as per the current
sporting regulation,” Rivola said.