Teams want to lower engine costs for 2021

The debate surrounding the use of the V6 turbo hybrid engine beyond the 2020 season Formula 1 is a favorite theme in the Austin (Texas) paddock. Since the start of the year, the FIA, Liberty Media and the F1 teams have met several times to outline new regulations for 2021.

The consensus seems to be found on cost reduction. Today, the technology used in the powertrain of a car is very specialized and is not given if you want to fight at the forefront. “We need a cheaper engine”, assures Zak Brown, executive director of McLaren. “Racing budgets must be reduced and engines are a key element in achieving this. » The British team signed a partnership with Renault for 2018, the French manufacturer supplying the engine to customer McLaren. “I believe that brands are fundamentally important in our sport, although it would be nice to have an independent supplier or two (such as Cosworth) », continues Zak Brown.

According to him, the arrival of new private suppliers would allow teams to have a varied choice, while lowering the selling price of an engine. “Ideally, the regulation that will be adopted will allow general manufacturers to benefit from the successes in F1 while pushing independent companies to put on the table more economically viable solutions for customers. »

Gene Haas, who pays for his engine from Ferrari, adopts a similar point of view, and proposes a coupled engine-transmission purchase. “The regulation will be simpler than now. This would allow us to obtain a single package with a single supplier. The engine and transmission form a very complicated unit to operate because it is purchased separately. »

The manufacturer, a master in hybrid F1 engine technology, Mercedes, offers a solution inspired by the world championship ofEndurance : all-wheel drive, when stored energy is redistributed to all four wheels. “We are not stuck on this option, but we must discuss technologies that can compensate for the lack of power if we remove the current energy recovery (MGU-H)”, reveals Toto wolff. The MGU-H is in fact the most complicated part to make reliable and refine for engine manufacturers, and may not be retained in the next regulation, expected by the end of the year.