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F1: Sauber boss 'concerned' about 2017 rule changes

London - Monisha Kaltenborn says it would be better if Ferrari, rather than Mercedes, was dominating Formula 1.

The Sauber team chief told German radio Deutschlandfunk: "Of course it would be better if several teams were to fight for the title."

Don't blame Mercedes

But she said it is not Mercedes' fault that it simply aced the new 'power unit' regulations that began in 2014.

Kaltenborn said: "It was especially thanks to an excellent engine, but also a good aerodynamic package. But it's not good if there is dominance. If Ferrari was dominating, I think that would not hurt the sport as much. Ferrari has so many fans and the number of spectators would still be high."

READ: 2017 F1 rules can stop Mercedes - Alonso

The bad news, she insisted, is that even though the aerodynamic and tyre rules are changing for 2017, the engine rules are basically staying the same.

The Sauber team boss added: "This (2017) is an opportunity for all the teams who have a certain development possibility to approach Mercedes. But it will probably take another two years for the manufacturers to get close to the Mercedes engine."

Doubts on 2017

And she also has doubts about whether the 2017 rules, designed to make F1 faster and more spectacular, will achieve those aims.

She adds: "I have expressed my doubts from the outset. The fact that the cars will be faster and be harder to drive will not be noticed by the spectator."

"If the difference would be 10 or 15 seconds per lap, they would notice it, but not if it is five or six seconds. So I'm concerned about that."

READ: Mercedes F1 boss critical of 2017 rule changes

A photo posted by GP Americas (@gpamericas) on

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