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Formula 1's Strategy Group is a hassle, Force India's Fernley says

Force India's Bob Fernley says being part of Formula 1's Strategy Group is a "hassle" and a "headache", but feels he has a moral responsibility to fight for the independent teams.

The outfit has been part of the body since 2015, by virtue of its finishing position in the constructors' championship, but deputy team principal has long been critical of the group, at one point describing it as "not fit for purpose".

F1's new owner Liberty Media is believed to be keen to streamline the championship's governance, which currently involves ideas being tabled at Strategy Group level as the first step.

Proposals then go for approval at the F1 Commission before being sent to the FIA's World Motor Sport council for ratification.

Force India is one of six teams currently in the Strategy Group - joined by Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, Williams and McLaren - with the FIA and commercial rights holder Formula One Group also represented, and Fernley believes its role is to fight for the interests of the independent outfits not represented.

"From a personal point of view it's been a lot of hassle," Fernley told Autosport.

"It's our third year on the Strategy Group.

"I've taken a lot of flack over the past two-and-a-half to three years.

"From a moral responsibility point of view, we're the only team representing the independent teams, and somebody's got to stand up for what you think is right in Formula 1."

Fernley also believes it is unfair that not all teams are involved in the group - with Renault, Toro Rosso, Sauber and Haas currently on the outer - given the significance of the items being discussed.

"I just feel that as much as it's an inconvenience and quite a headache for me personally, you have some responsibility to the team and your fellow competitors that aren't represented there - and that to me is still something that's totally wrong," he said.

"I feel very strongly about it and I feel quite passionate about it as well.

"We do the things that we do and stand up and be counted, not just against the teams but obviously against the commercial rights holder and the FIA and whoever we feel is actually reducing the impact for the independent teams."

Zdroj: autosport.com