New engines for Formula 1 in 2016?
"The costs are too high and I think one of the crucial aspects in those costs is the power unit and that's something the strategy group, as well as the other players within Formula One have a duty of care to look at very carefully and I think. I think an awful lot can be done for 2016 and maybe we need to even go as far as looking at a different engine. Maybe still a V6 but maybe a more simplified V6 that controls the cost. Cost of development, cost of supply to a team and to the privateer teams" Red Bull Team Boss Christian Horner argued at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
"We need to look at something different 2016. In terms of power unit and in terms of regulation. 2015 is clear we will have to – at the moment – accept the status quo but definitely we are not going to accept the status quo for 2016. The cost of the power unit is a problem. The fact that we cannot enhance our power unit during the season is a cost for us, for not performing. So, the difficulties that that the small teams are facing is an issue on the table – so I think all these problems are very well connected" added former Ferrari boss Marco Mattiacci.
The introduction of the new generation power units has had a mixed response and many feel that it will be impossible for Renault and Ferrari to catch up with the dominant Mercedes PU106A design. In addition many feel that the new units are far too expensive.
"The scenario at the moment is such that it's unsustainable" Horner continues, "it's unsustainable for manufacturers, any of the manufacturers, to keep spending at the level that they are, and therefore, rather than perhaps going backwards with the V8, maybe we should potentially keep the basis of what's been achieved but look at simplifying it because if the development costs stay at where they are. We will not attract new manufacturers into the sport and we may well drive current manufacturers out of the sport. So we have to think, not just about today but about the future. 2015, there’s very little that can be done with the regulations but for 2016, an awful lot can be done and I think that the teams, together with the FIA and the promoter, have to have that responsibility to ensure that those issues are addressed and the sport is sustainable and attractive to new manufacturers to come in."
Ferrari, Mercedes and Honda have all committed to being in Formula 1 to at least 2020, Renault, Red Bull's supply partner which has had a particularly difficult season has not. If a new 2016 rulebook is to be introduced then full regulations would need to be agreed and published by March 2015. Racecar Engineering