Eric Boullier: 2017 rule changes will allow more overtaking in F1

Eric Boullier has hit back at claims that 2017 regulation changes could harm Formula 1 and believes they will in fact improve overtaking.

Changes to the cars for next season, which could make them five seconds per lap quicker by introducing wider rear tyres and increasing downforce, have not yet been signed off but appear to be a formality.

Several drivers remain unconvinced by the proposed rules, however, with Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton both adamant racing will suffer, and that with more downforce it will be more difficult to follow and thus, overtake.

Toto Wolff and Pat Symonds are also not fans of the direction the Formula 1 is heading in, with the latter fearing the sport could be made "significantly worse". But Boullier says McLaren are one team who are backing the changes.

"I actually disagree with comments in the media from my competitors," the McLaren team chief said. "The regulation has been drafted in a way so that the car will generate more downforce from the tyres, so mechanically, which should not hurt the overtaking numbers.

"Additionally, the influence of the front wing will be lower, since the floor and the diffuser will generate more downforce, allowing more overtaking.

"All this makes the car allow more overtaking maneuvers, maybe by 5 per cent, as all current overtaking maneuvers are driven by DRS and tyre regulations."

McLaren claim they couldn't show their true pace at the Russian GP because of fuel-saving, despite Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button both securing points in Sochi.

Alonso admitted he put in the fifth-fastest lap of the race to "wake up" and holds high hopes that 2017 will allow the grid to return to a "normal driving style". And Boullier says that if drivers enjoy racing, the spectacle will improve as a whole.

Natalie Pinkham is joined by former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley and Sky's own David Croft to discuss all the fallout from the Russian GP. Natalie Pinkham is joined by former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley and Sky's own David Croft to discuss all the fallout from the Russian GP.

"It's good that when drivers step into F1, they still have the 'wow' effect which we may have lost a little bit," he added.

"I think the fans maybe won't see the difference, but these guys will be happier to drive a faster car with more grip.

"We are supporting this. If the drivers are happier to drive the car than it will make a better show and then the fans will be happier, so it's good for Formula 1."