The new rules Red Bull disappointment that ended Vettel’s F1 reign

It’s widely believed that major changes in the technical regulations can also upend the form book, handing an opportunity to the most boldly innovative teams. In reality, the best-resourced organisations usually prevail unless they’ve been distracted by in-season development during the run-up to the change.

For the 2014 Formula 1, the FIA sought to improve the on-track competition by neutering certain elements of aerodynamic development. At the same time, they implemented a long-planned change to the engine formula, introducing 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrids in the hope that greater relevance to developments in the road car industry might stem the exodus of manufacturers and attract new ones.