New Standard Motor for the Formula-1

After the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) decided in 2007 that the engine specification will be frozen to keep development costs down, they are now starting initial routine examinations on the current motors in the Formula One. 

The reason for the inspections is the latest increase in efficiency which was observed on the motors from Ferrari, Mercedes and BMW. While the majority of the teams comply strictly with the new terms, the three implied car manufacturers are supposed to benefit from a gap in the new system, since there are still possibilities to make slight modifications which serve for the improvement of the reliability. The authorized adjustments can have additional positive side effects, for example increasing the engine’s power of individual cars. The difference between the cars with motors from BMW and Renault is believed to add up to 20hp already.  

Of course this gives the smaller teams a hard fight since they don’t command the courage to do the same. For that reason they apply for a so-called level regulation. One of the affected teams commented publicly about this situation and wishes that the engine power at start would be more balanced for the teams. "Last year we had a competitive machine but this year according to our analysis there are several teams which are ahead of us. Probably the most notable indication for that, you can find it in our two Red-Bull teams,” so the manager of the British team, Christian Horner.

The new regulation was planned to be apply until 2013, but after the latest detections the FIA needs to step in and if necessary has to modify them sooner. In case this won’t happen, it may be possible that the Formula One could break down.

Everybody who is actively involved in the Formula-1 knows that the expenses need to be reduced to make a continuity possible. With the new plan the costs are reported to be up to 95% less. But about the standard motor there are conflicting opinions. For the leading manufacturers as Mercedes, Ferrari or BMW this means that they will not be able to take advantage of their technical competence anymore; and this is obviously adverse to their interests, says BMW-Motorsports-Director Mario Theissen. For the smaller teams as Renault or Toyota the new regulation is a new chance which may bring them quite a few benefits. There are voices that have many doubts about the new plan and they complain that there is no more stability and planning security in the Formula-1. We cannot rule out the possibility that some of the manufacturers may pull out. 

About one week ago the FIA announced that there will be three lucky teams that will obtain the authorization to make some slight modifications to their car’s engine prior to the beginning of the next season. The lucky three are Toyota, Renault and Honda. The general idea of this exception is to balance out the relative strength of the Formula-1 motors.