Breaking news
Formula 1
F1 considering three engines per season plan
Formula 1 drivers could be limited to just three engines per season as part of radical plans being considered by manufacturers to cut costs, Motorsport.com can reveal.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Dec 16, 2015, 9:35 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
In a bid to stave off the threat of an independent engine from 2017, F1's car makers have begun talks to frame a series of regulations that will slash expenditure over the next few years.
The proposals have to be agreed by January 15 for a presentation to the FIA, after which a decision will be taken by the governing body on whether or not they do enough to ease F1's cost crisis.
Although the ideas being discussed between the manufacturers are at an early stage, high level sources have revealed that there are three main areas of focus for the manufacturers right now.
They are:
- Extending the life of the power units so there are just three per driver per season. Although this will cause short-term headaches and expenditure, having one engine for seven races will force the use of less sophisticated materials longer term to drastically cut costs.
- Freezing parts of the power units that manufacturers now believe have reached development 'maturity', so can no longer justify money being spent on.
- Define a list of standard parts which can be sourced from a single supplier – which could include the MGU-H and MGU-K, while still allowing total freedom in the management of other electrical motor systems.
The above steps are such that it may not be possible to introduce them as early as 2017, when the FIA is hoping that the engine situation in F1 has changed.
One key factor going forward, then, will be whether or not the FIA is willing to accept such a delay, or if it demands more is done in the shorter term to end its desire for the independent engine.
MGU-H focus
The manufacturers' efforts to move forward have been made slightly more difficult by ongoing discussions about whether or not certain hybrid elements of the power unit should be kept.
One suggestion initially suggested in Abu Dhabi was to abolish the expensive MGU-H totally, but this idea was rejected because there was not unanimous support to ditch it.
Ferrari too, in the wake of the recent climate agreement reached in Paris, now thinks that manufacturers should continue pushing hybrid technology.
President Sergio Marchionne said at Maranello earlier this week: "After all that has been done with a view to reducing emissions, when we hear about a return to the aspirated engines with a less complex hybrid system, it is really offensive and it would be a retrograde step.
"The world with the choices they make in Paris has moved forward, and thus also Formula 1 must adapt."
The January 15 deadline for the manufacturers come against the backdrop of FIA president Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone having been given a mandate by the governing body to make changes to F1 to reduce costs and improve its governance structure.
Additional reporting by Franco Nugnes
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Video: Ferrari's F1 resurgence - How far can it go?
Next article Mercedes: Ferrari not involved in new 'spy' case
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Dec 28, 2024
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Ferrari
Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 d
Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"
Latest news
Carson Hocevar and Cleetus McFarland win LeMullets 2026 in epic finish
General
Misc General 48 min
Carson Hocevar and Cleetus McFarland win LeMullets 2026 in epic finish
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
7 h
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Homestead
7 h
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe