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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRacing Bulls driver Liam Lawson ahead of two drivers from Haas and Alpine during the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix. Image: by Clive Mason\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRacing Bulls driver Liam Lawson ahead of two drivers from Haas and Alpine during the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix. Image: by Clive Mason\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
Ongoing discussions between the FIA, Formula 1 and teams during the war-induced break have centred on improving qualifying and addressing safety concerns, with Permane indicating any adjustments would likely be introduced step by step across upcoming rounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they can happen in a lot more than [two stages],\u201d Permane told Speedcafe and other media.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are many suggestions that have been put forward. I think that we have a particularly tough time with Miami being a Sprint because there\u2019s really little time to test anything.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it may well be that we try some of the ones that are a little bit simpler and less risky in Miami, and then we try some more in Montreal, and then of course we go to Monaco where it\u2019s almost impossible to test anything.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo Barcelona might be the first time when we try some of the more challenging ones.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s necessarily two [updates], I would say we should keep open-minded and maybe this is a continuous thing.<\/p>\n
Click here <\/a>to see what it takes to build the Gold Coast street circuit <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, that would be driven by the FIA and by F1, but I don\u2019t think we should limit ourselves.<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly, we can keep working at it.\u201d<\/p>\n The sweeping engine and chassis changes introduced this season have drawn mixed reactions, particularly from drivers frustrated by lift-and-coast racing and energy management in qualifying.<\/p>\n Despite that criticism, Permane believes the on-track product has still delivered at times, even if opinion remains divided between traditional fans and newer audiences.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not an easy one,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe obviously have to listen to the drivers. I think there are two groups \u2013 well maybe that\u2019s simplifying a little bit \u2013 but I think the die-hard fans are very upset about it, you can see, but also I think that maybe the casual viewers actually find it very exciting.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to admit I think that some of the race battles have been immense and I got distracted myself on the pit wall watching the Ferraris race each other in Shanghai, I thought it was great.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd even some of the stuff in Melbourne\u2026 I know it was a little bit that those first laps in Melbourne, I think when you replay it and watch them back \u2018Oh yeah, he\u2019s using his energy there and then he\u2019s getting overtaken here\u2019, but actually when you watch it live actually I found it quite exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n Permane pointed to a stakeholder meeting last week between teams, the FIA and Formula 1 as \u201cvery productive\u201d<\/a>, with further discussions this week and next set to determine which changes could be rolled out as early as the next round in Miami.<\/p>\n He added key priorities remain making qualifying more \u201cflat-out\u201d and driver-focused, while also reducing dangerous closing speeds highlighted by the recent incident at the Japanese Grand Prix involving Ollie Bearman and Franco Colapinto.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to be careful when we do that, that we\u2019re not taking away some of the spectacle, or too much of the spectacle,\u201d Permane added.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause one way to reduce closing speeds of course is to remove things like the boost, reduce things like the extra energy that\u2019s available to the drivers when they\u2019re within a second of the car in front, and that will no doubt reduce those closing speeds but it\u2019ll also likely reduce overtaking as well.<\/p>\n \u201cSo we just need to be careful that we strike the right balance there I think.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018No real truth\u2019: Liam Lawson blindsided by Supercars rumour<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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