Breaking news
Formula 1
F1 performance gaps to be addressed despite 2022 engine freeze
Formula 1's power unit manufacturers have agreed to address big gaps in engine performance from 2022 despite the development freeze, according to Christian Horner.
Luke Smith
Published: Feb 15, 2021, 2:51 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The F1 Commission announced last week that teams had unanimously supported a freeze in power unit development from 2022, lasting until the introduction of the new engines in 2025.
The agreement paved the way for Red Bull to take on departing supplier Honda's power units from next year, announcing the formation of Red Bull Powertrains on Monday.
Both Red Bull and Ferrari had entered talks eager to implement some kind of performance correction system, ensuring that any power unit that was significantly behind its rivals would get the opportunity to catch up.
It emerged following the meeting that this has not been written into the regulations surrounding the engine freeze, making it appear that the performance of the power units as of the start of 2022 would be set in stone for the next three seasons.
Read Also:
- The good and bad news for Red Bull in F1’s engine freeze
- F1 teams approve engine freeze plans from 2022
- Red Bull reveals naming plan for new F1 engines
But Red Bull F1 boss Horner has revealed that while it was not written into the regulations, an agreement had been struck between the manufacturers to address any big gaps in performance.
"Whilst there isn't anything within the regulations, there is an agreement between the manufacturers that each have supported to the FIA to address it, in the event that a manufacturer is out of kilter," Horner said in a select media roundtable including Motorsport.com.
"So there is effectively an undertaking by each of the manufacturers to address it should it arise, whilst it's not within the regulations."
Although Horner accepted the agreement was "not as ideal as a regulation", he expressed confidence that the FIA could work with the manufacturers to correct any performance gaps.
"It gives the FIA the necessary empowerment to bring the parties to the table," Horner said.
"That's important, and there is a clear understanding, particularly from within the top level of each of the OEMs."
Honda has brought forward many of its planned developments for 2022 to 2021 before its exit from the series at the end of the year.
Horner said that the Japanese manufacturer remains committed to working on improvements throughout this year before handing the power unit over to Red Bull when the freeze begins.
"You have the introduction of the E10 fuel [in 2022], so Honda will continue to develop the engine around that fuel," Horner said.
"They will hand over the engine effectively for the start of the freeze, and they will continue to assist during 2022 with the assembly of engines.
"Honda are continuing to operate as normal this year. They are committed to Formula 1 until the 31st of December, during which time they will be working with our fuel partner, ExxonMobil, which they're currently doing, on the development of the E10 fuel, which is currently the biggest regulation change into next year.
"It's business as usual very much for 2021. And then the engine will be handed over for pre-season testing this time next year."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Red Bull reveals naming plan for new F1 engines
Next article Alonso discharged from hospital after cycling accident
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Luke Smith
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
Formula 1
Formula 1
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Formula 1
Formula 1
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Formula 1
Formula 1
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Latest news
Jorge Martin planning MotoGP return at Malaysian GP
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 min
Jorge Martin planning MotoGP return at Malaysian GP
Lando Norris laments "very bad job" in qualifying for F1 United States GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
7 min
Lando Norris laments "very bad job" in qualifying for F1 United States GP
F1 United States GP: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
48 min
F1 United States GP: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
2026 F1 United States Grand Prix starting grid
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
57 min
2026 F1 United States Grand Prix starting grid
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe