Ferrari F1 Finally give in to Red Bull’s demands for engine headaches

Ferrari’s Formula 1 team has made another U-turn, this time not because of its vehicle performance. After initially resisting the idea of ​​an “engine freeze”, they finally broke in.

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After Honda decided to end the sport in late 2021, Red Bull came up with a plan to freeze engine development. They found unlikely allies in Mercedes. However, the Prancing Horse and Renault disagreed on this idea. They wanted to continue driving engine development after 2021. However, following recent talks with the FIA, they have reversed their stance.

What made Ferrari change their minds?

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The governing body influenced Ferrari by bringing the introduction of the next generation engines forward by a year. It was originally planned to be launched in 2026, but has now been postponed to 2025. Team principal Mattia Binotto confirmed that they would now support the engine freezing, saying:

“We support the attempt to anticipate the freezing of the engines by one season or one year. Because that would also mean anticipating the new regulations for the units by 2025.

“Ferrari knows the situation and understands the situation. It is not the first time Ferrari has acted responsibly in this regard. So we’re going to support the freeze by anticipating the engines and powerplant by a year, ”added Binotto.

NUERBURG, GERMANY – OCTOBER 11: Red Bull Racing team advisor Dr. Helmut Marko and Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto will speak on October 11, 2020 in Nuerburg at the German starting position before the F1 Eifel Grand Prix on the Nuerburgring. (Photo by Peter Fox / Getty Images)

Having Ferrari on board means the engine freeze proposal is closer to reality. However, you don’t want to be on par with other manufacturers before the freeze occurs. Understandably, Mercedes, Honda and even Renault are ahead in terms of engine performance.

Therefore, they want to close this gap before the end of 2021 –

“Talks with the FIA ​​and F1 are an ongoing moment when we should consider an engine convergence mechanism. When there is a situation where one manufacturer ultimately really degrades performance compared to the others.

“Because then it freezes the relative performance between the manufacturers for three years. “

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Ferrari’s plea for 2025 engines

Not only do they want it to be “more sustainable”, they also demand full clarity about its rules by mid-2021. “In order to have a brand new format of the engine in 2025, we will need it by the middle of the 20th year of clarity about the regulations. It has to be more sustainable from a cost perspective. “

Formula 1 F1 – Grand Prix Eifel – Nürburgring, Nürburg, Germany – General view in the Ferrari box FIA / Handout via REUTERS

The Italian team makes an excellent point here. With growing concern for the environment, F1 is under pressure to become a greener sport. The teams are also trying to reduce costs and carbon footprint through these new regulations. Hence it is important to get them right as they will determine the future of the sport for the next 5 years from 2025 to 2030.

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