Frost in horses in 2022?

Budget ceiling, possible control of pilots' salaries: the time has (finally) come for frugality in Formula 1. A trend further reinforced by the health and economic crisis currently sweeping the world. 

It is in this context and the prospect of a change in engine architecture by 2026 that Red Bull is campaigning for the introduction of an engine development freeze from the 2022 season, the campaign which will follow the withdrawal of its partner Honda from the sport. 

The Austrian group, which does not wish to regain the status of a simple customer, would in fact like to rely on the intellectual property of the Japanese propellant to continue to use it beyond this deadline, without having to develop it suddenly. of millions. Because if the expenses of each team will be limited to 145 million dollars (132 million euros) from 2021, the future budget ceiling does not include investments linked to engine activity. 

Among the three engine manufacturers expected to stay after 2021, Mercedes has already made known, through the voice of Toto wolff, that she would support the implementation of the restrictions desired by Red Bull.

« It’s great to hear Toto take a stand in favor of an engine freeze but it’s not surprising when you have the best engine in the field, Christian Horner still quipped this Friday from Imola. He would probably like nothing to change for 20 years. It’s up to the regulatory body (the FIA, Editor’s note) and to the commercial rights holder (the FOM, Editor’s note) to take a step back and see what are the most sustainable solutions for sport. 

We have just lost a manufacturer with the upcoming departure of Honda. This is very bad news for the discipline. For Red Bull to take over, engine development must be restricted, even more so given the current economic situation. A solution must be found in the coming weeks ». 

As for Ferrari, it is for the moment a firm “No” which was brandished by its general director Louis Camilleri in an interview with the Journal of Sport. Lagging behind in engine terms this season, the Maranello house does not want this hierarchy to be set in stone, even if it is doing everything it can to improve its engine by 2022. 

« We don't have the best propellant at the moment, recognized Mattia Binotto, head of Gestione Sportiva. Next year, the regulations authorize the introduction of a new engine. At Ferrari, we have invested a lot in the 2021 project, as well as 2022. The results on the test bench are very promising so far ». 

Renault has not yet spoken publicly on the subject of an engine freeze but Cyril Abiteboul has often called for such measures in the past, as part of cost reduction of which it is one of the most ardent defenders. 

However, the Diamond brand also plans to introduce a break in concept in terms of its engine in 2022, which will also coincide with the need to increase the share of bio-fuels in the V6 turbo hybrids used since 2014. From then on , wouldn't a freeze in performance come too soon for Renault?

Perhaps not if, as Wolff suggested this Friday at Imola, the next generation of F1 powerplants was brought forward to 2025, or even 2024, instead of the 2026 horizon currently set.