The lax F1 engine policy that BMW exploited for Piquet’s second title
It’s a good thing there were no penalties for changing engines 40 years ago – even for a season finale, says MAURICE HAMILTON…
“Lift and coast.” A familiar phrase as tyres and power unit supplies were eked out in the final races. Each driver is expected to get through a season on three engines, which is a bit like asking the FIA president if he wouldn’t mind limiting his TV cameo appearances to 50. It’s a tough call. Things were more free and easy in the championship shoot-out 40 years ago.
For the final race of 1983, BMW came to South Africa with no fewer than 13 engines. For one team. Or to be perfectly honest, for one driver. Nelson Piquet was BMW’s man as the Brabham number one went head-to-head with Renault’s Alain Prost (Ferrari’s René Arnoux was an outsider in this championship mathematical mix).
Share Or Save This Story
How F1’s most famous engine unlocked the potential of Brabham's forgotten gem
The detail focus that will make Audi’s Red Bull hire a hit team boss
The Russell traits that will ease his adaption to becoming Mercedes team leader
Can Alpine’s latest regime change shift its course?
Why long Sainz courtship was only one factor in eventual Williams union
How F1’s tech war has transformed in 2024
How F1 teams evolved the humble spring
The statistical F1 anomaly Verstappen will seek to remedy in Singapore
Hendrick Motorsports will not appeal Bowman DQ
Hailie Deegan shifting to Indy NXT for 2025 with HMD Motorsports
How F1’s most famous engine unlocked the potential of Brabham's forgotten gem
How a faulty steering wheel created a tense IMSA title showdown
How F1’s most famous engine unlocked the potential of Brabham's forgotten gem
The detail focus that will make Audi’s Red Bull hire a hit team boss
The Russell traits that will ease his adaption to becoming Mercedes team leader
The multi-faceted improvements that have allowed McLaren to challenge Red Bull
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.
