Finally, engine regulation in F1 pushed back to 2014

This engine issue has reached to a final deal after an intense debate which was ongoing from past few weeks. F1 commission has now finally pushed the introduction date of new engines to 2014 after F1 commission, in its meeting agreed to delay the new engines. Now the new engine regulations will start from 2014 in which the sport will switch to 1.6 liter V6 engines instead of a four cylinder engines which was proposed earlier.

Formula 1 engine manufacturers in the F1 commission meeting proposed the 1.6 liter V6 turbo charged engines instead of the four cylinder units and it was accepted by the commission. The four cylinder units which were earlier proposed by FIA raised the concerns among the manufacturers and especially Ferrari.

The divided opinion on the four cylinder ‘greener units’ made F1 commission to move away from its initial decision. After some intense efforts and proposal, FIA finally adopted the V6 concept but they still keep the greener concept in it which FIA was very keep to introduce. The new V6 engines will be a greener units like the V4 they will be fitted with the turbo charged capability just like the previously proposed units.

The proposal received the necessary agreement in the meeting from Formula 1 teams and the other representatives which were present in the meeting. Now the agreement will go to FIA’s WMSC for fax voting. The fax voting will be a formality because the WMSC has already made it clear that it can delay the introduction of the new engine regulation if the manufacturers and the stakeholders will push for any such action.

The engine issue was heated that much because Ferrari was not in the favor of four cylinder engine rule. Ferrari was worried about the cost of the new power units and wanted to push back the introduction of new units. Mercedes-Benz was also against its introduction because of the cost issue; Cosworth said that they are ready for whatever the decision F1 commission takes.

Renault was the only engine manufacturer which was totally in the support of four cylinder units and threatened to quite Formula 1 in case of delay in the introduction of the greener units. However, Renault later admitted that they just wanted to resolve the issue at the earlist.

Managing director Jean-Francois Caubet in Canada said, “I told Bernie and Jean Todt that today we are in the ‘red zone’ because we have no idea what will be the future for Renault.”

However he later said, “Renault also agreed to the V6 concept that now looks set to be incorporated into the regulations.”