As the FIA has promised to reveal more information about the 2019 aerodynamic regulations, which are designed to improve overtaking, today, Todt says "F1 had to take action with 2019 rules" as he defended the decision to change some regulations ahead of next year’s championship in order to improve overtaking.

However, Red Bull team boss, Christian Horner has hit out at the FIA's decision to introduce new aerodynamic regulations for the 2019 F1 season, whilst Ferrari and Mercedes have supported the planned changes.

The new regulations relate to the wings with a simpler front wing that has a larger span and a wider and deeper rear wing.

Sebastian Vettel says earlier in this month that Formula 1’s constant rule changes are a “bit like cruising to America and changing direction 100 times.” and he added “I find it a bit comical,” 

(FIA president Jean Todt)

Todt, though, says it is imperative that Formula 1 takes action now rather than waiting until 2021.

“We hear all the time from the drivers that the cars can’t get close to each other,” FIA president Jean Todt said

“I read the press conference transcripts – [Lewis] Hamilton, Vettel, [Kimi] Raikkonen, they all complained. And they’re [racing] in the front. Can you imagine what it’s like at the back? And you all complain – I read what you write. He added.

(Red Bull)

According to Sky F1, at the Spanish GP, Red Bull team principal Horner gave a scathing assessment of the new regulations, saying the decision had been "rushed" and would cause the teams' costs to escalate as they overhaul their cars. "Sometimes this sport has the ability to shoot itself in the foot," Horner told Sky Sports F1.

"The work that's being done for 2021 is all good stuff. The problem is a snapshot of that has been taken, it hasn't been fully analysed - there are no proven conclusions from it. It's then been rushed into a set of regulations which completely conflict existing regulations so now they're scrapping around trying to tidy that up.

"It just completely changes the philosophy of the car. The front wing will be wider, it will be different. The point that the air meets the car is the front wing and that then changes everything behind it: suspension, bodywork, absolutely every single component.

 "We talk about costs and being responsible, what's just been introduced is a completely new concept, a completely new car that will cost millions and millions of pounds.

"I just find it frustrating that decisions are made on zero evidence or zero conclusions, on theories and the burden of costs is passed onto the teams. Is it going to guarantee that the cars can follow closer next year? Probably not."

(Ferrari)

But Ferrari chief technical officer Mattia Binotto said the team felt the changes were the "right choice" and could prove to be a "game changer".

"It is a big change, a drastic change to the rules, to the aero. I think each team will be focused on trying to develop what are the new regulations, it's quite a game changer," Binotto said.

"I think that as a team we have a duty and a task to improve the show, to improve Formula 1. I think that certainly, the regulations may be a good step in that respect.

"Overall I think from an egoistic point of view we could have stuck with what we had at the moment but I think that looking at the show and the good for the sport, it was the right choice."

(Mercedes)

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claimed he had never seen Horner so angry when the proposals were discussed in a Strategy Group meeting but said the reigning world champions, Lewis Hamilton also backed the changes

"I haven't seen [Horner] that livid," Wolff told Sky Sports F1.

"It seems to be upsetting them massively. I don't know why for us it was a 50-50 decision. We wanted to be supportive of the work that's been done and the direction looks correct.

"I think the biggest factor is that the teams that are fighting for the championship this year will need to switch their development at a certain stage into next year's aero regulation because it's so different. That is complex and that is probably the biggest factor."