F1 in talks with new engine manufacturers

Formula One’s new chief executive Stefano Domenicali (shown above) is in discussions with new engine manufactures in hope they will join the series.

“I think that one of the biggest challenges that automotive manufacturers have today is to feel younger,” Domenicali told Sky Sports. “There is this kind of fight between the old school of OEM [original equipment manufacturers] and the new OEMs that are coming in the mobility side.

“But I think that the OEMs can use the platform [of Formula One] to get also the fresh image they maybe need for the future.”

He continued: “What I can say is that we are in discussions with other manufacturers. For the moment, they prefer to stay quiet, but the good news is that there are other… companies, very important companies, that are really keen to understand what is the value that they can bring home using the F1 platform. But not only in terms of technology, in terms of also the value of what Formula One can bring to the automotive manufacturer.”

Currently, Formula One’s engine suppliers for the 2021 season are Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda and Renault. However, Japanese-based Honda is exiting the sport after this year, instead switching its focus to sustainable road car technologies.

“It’s not possible that the power unit in Formula One can cost what it is costing today,” said Domenicali.

“I think there is a margin, a big margin on that, and one of the agendas that we have is that we would like to involve teams and OEMs to try and anticipate the new engine even earlier than what is expected of the regulation, and make sure that these kinds of things will be part of the agenda, and I’m sure we can do it.”