Formula 1 bosses believes the excitement of the Spanish Grand Prix is the definitive evidence that this year's rules are a success.
The Barcelona event was tipped as a key point in judging the rules, as the races there have been processional and with little overtaking in past years due to the nature of the circuit. But with a record 60 passes during last weekend's race, which saw Sebastian Vettel cross the finish just six tenths ahead of Lewis Hamilton, F1 bosses believe the new rules can now be branded a success.
Renault team boss Eric Boullier admitted he was worried the sporting side would be overshadowed by the show, but he feels the balance is currently the right one.
"For me, since the beginning, I was not a fan, but supporting the new rules. Being outside this paddock before 2010, I always heard people complaining about the lack of overtaking, the lack of action. I think with this regulation at least they have brought not only the show... It was my fear that we'd put too much show instead of sport, but we still have some sport and some action and we have some more show and we have preserved the sporting aspect. So it is a success for me – even if it is a headache for me and all the engineers in the pit lane."
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hailed the Spanish GP race as a "thriller" and is hoping the rules stay unchanged.
"I think they are working," said Horner. "Barcelona, quite often had the ability to be a drone-a-thon, and after a first corner like that, that would have probably been the outcome. I remember two years ago here, Sebastian drove around pretty much looking at the exhausts of Felipe Massa for the whole grand prix, with only one pit stop to deal with that.
"Now this has changed the dynamics and this place has notoriously been difficult to overtake or generate close racing, and it has produced an absolute thriller. The regulations have contributed and created that. Hopefully, we don't all decide to change that now."
Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug reckons the rules were already a success before the confirmation in Spain.
"I already did [think rules were a success]. Some guys complained it was too complicated, but to me it is fantastic and works 100 percent. There is only one mistake with the new rules – that the silver cars are not at the front."