Mercedes allowed to keep higher oil burn limit
- Published on 29 Aug 2017 16:34
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- By: Fergal Walsh
The FIA has confirmed that Mercedes will be allowed to burn 1.2 litres of fuel per 100km for the rest of the season due to the German manufacturer's decision to introduce the engine at the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend.
A new oil burn limit is being introduced for the Italian Grand Prix, with other manufacturers being able to run with only 0.9 litres per 100km. Mercedes avoided the rule by introducing its fourth and final engine at Spa-Francorchamps.
An FIA spokesman said: "If an engine (ICE element) is introduced at or after the Monza race weekend, its oil consumption needs to be below 0.9L/100km whenever it is used. If an engine (ICE element) has been introduced at or before the Spa race weekend, its oil consumption needs to be below 1.2L/100km whenever it is used."
The decision has deeply upset Ferrari, who will be forced to run with 0.9 litres per 100km when it introduces its final engine. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said he would be willing to talk to Ferrari if any problems arose.
"We are fierce competitors and the relationship we have is that we stick our heads together if there is a problem, and we discuss it behind closed doors. It hasn’t come up. We need to be careful that things are not made up in the public that are just not right, and not true. So far, I’m easy about it."
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (17)
Login to replymcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Is n't it unfair practice? Some one needs to sell off their stake in F1.
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Typical FIA
boudy
Posts: 1,168
So there's your confirmation about burning oil. If other Mercedes teams do not exceed this threshold the question is how do they manage the burn of this oil? Therefore they use engine oil as an means to gain more power which was illegal i thought ....hmm double standards again ...
This championship is weighted towards Mercedes and Ferrari in more than one way. Will we see another team on pure performance?
Can't wait for another rain race.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It sort of is and sort of isnt illegal. Thats why the new rules are to be introduced: to clarify the rules and prevent oil burning. As for how they do it: the oil system is already in place, they just need to amp it up a bit and make a few adjustments to allow more oil into the blend.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Oh come on! Thats just plain unfair! If you want to let one team do it, let the rest do it. Or at the very least, if you really want to be unfair, give that advantage to the likes of Renault or Honda, those two need it far more than Mercedes F**** Benz Son. Allowing this is close to biasing the championship in favour of Mercedes.
NEXT SPARE VAMP
Posts: 1,874
It is. And Toto's a f****** bastard. Really hope Ferrari will win the championship after all!
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
Agreed! This is why I struggle to take F1 seriously anymore. These constant rule changes IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEASON! And then to add insult to injury the most dominant team ever is given an advantage for no other reason than "just because".
Rindtchamp
Posts: 304
Disgusting, really disgraceful.. Well, when Merc/Lewis win the WCC/WDC, we'll know the reason why.
reg
Posts: 162
The FIA have clearly completely lost the plot.
StigsSon
Posts: 35
I'm done with F1. Bye all.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Don't let the door hit you in the a*** on your way out.
Although I bet you will continue to watch.
Kevin
Posts: 5,341
It is big f*** up from the FIA to formulate a new rule mid-season by which this is possible. It should have been made clear, that no driver is allowed to race with that amount of oil starting Monza. That way, you would not have had this issue. I can't blame Mercedes for outsmarting their opponents.. I blame Ferrari for not doing the same and the FIA for allowing it to happen.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
So much faux outrage. It's stupid. The only team comprehensibly favored by FIA over time has been Ferrari. It will always be that way. Situations like this with Mercedes are rare. Sometimes they are favored, sometimes harmed. I think the rule clarification was clear and the application appropriate because it was done mid season. However, it sits wrong with some fans that want someone other than Mercedes to win. But if you are a Ferrari fan don't forget Malaysia 1999 where Ferrari raced with illegal wings and got away with it. They won't the manufacturers championship because of that.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Stupid? AJPENNYPACKER, honey, no. No, not really. True, the FIA has in the past constantly favoured Ferrari, and that has been equally groce. However, you cannot deny that this is ridiculous. When they banned the FRIC in 2014, they had no mercy for the teams who had implemented it later, they banned every single FRIC on the grid. Im not sure I liked the removal, but at least it was fair. This isnt. It leaves Honda and Renault utterly in the dust, since they didnt have the system to begin with and are now unable to implement it, and Ferrari is in a catch 22 in which it either can upgrade it's PU and lose the 1,2l oil blend, or they can stick with their current spec and lose out to Mercedes in the upgrade war. No matter how you see it, its unfair to the other suppliers, and doesnt contribute to the show. Its halfhearted at best.
Smiler121
Posts: 53
Isn't this basically a result of Merc having an unused ICE of suitable spec that they are willing to install it now available to throw into the mix at the right time, then Ferrari & the rest pointing out that this doesn't suit them?
ianf1
Posts: 185
Yup, the rest could have done the same if they wanted to
f1ski
Posts: 726
well to me this a violation of the fuel rule as it goes against the spirit of the rule. this would explain mercedes ability to increase power at will. I wonder if they can change oil pressure during the race to increase oil burn.