Ferrari unsure of concessions for potential new F1 manufacturers

F1 stakeholders have been discussing what the next generation of power units will look like after their planned introduction in 2026 for a few months now and have agreed to remove the MGU-H.

It has piqued the interest of VW brands Porsche and Audi, and discussions of possible concessions continue to ensure that all new manufacturers are uncompetitive to competitors who have more experience with the existing turbo hybrids.

Ferrari F1 boss Binotto admitted that while every newcomer “has to start from scratch” and that there could be additional investments for CapEx investments, in his opinion this should not also apply to the operational side.

“I’m not sure about other resources like test bench hours or OpEx [about concessions]”Said Binotto.

“As a newcomer, you have the advantage that you only concentrate on the new development, while we, as the current manufacturer, have to split up between ongoing operations and the new ones.

“I think the agreed removal of the MGU-H means it’s a brand new project for everyone.

“So everyone starts from scratch and I don’t think they are at a disadvantage.

“I think they know how to use renewable fuels. You have knowledge of electrics. I’m not sure if they lack the skills to challenge the current manufacturers. “

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The newly appointed Porsche Vice President for Motorsport, Thomas Laudenbach, recently said that the conditions for an F1 entry would be “met”, but warned against being able to “wait too long” to decide on a possible entry.

Porsche has been considering involvement in Formula 1 for a number of years and even went so far as to start an engine project for 2021 before plans to revise the regulations were discarded.

The current McLaren F1 boss Andreas Seidl previously looked after the motorsport interests of Porsche and led the successful return of the brand to the top class of sports car racing via the LMP1 program, which won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2015-17.

“My approach has always been that even as a newcomer, for example when entering Le Mans, I don’t want to make any concessions,” said Seidl.

“Because I want to compete with competitors on an equal footing. I think you have to accept when you get into a sport or another sport that it can take some time to build up this competitiveness.

“At the same time, I have no doubts about the timeline when we see regulations coming into force, whoever would get into F1, there is enough time and I think enough knowledge and expertise, these new manufacturers who they were able to be in a reasonably competitive position from the first year on. “

Porsche F1 Fantasy Concept

Photo by: Camille De Bastiani