Retaining current F1 manufacturers priority for 2021 - Todt
- Published on 08 Sep 2018 14:17
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- By: Harry Mattocks
In 2021, Formula 1 is set to drastically change the regulations of the sport, with cheaper, simpler and louder engines being the target. This was originally planned in order to entice new teams and manufacturers into the sport, with several parties interested when the proposal was made.
These interested parties included big names such as Aston Martin and Porsche, but neither has signalled their intention to join, as the proposal is much less transformative than what was originally suggested.
Former Ferrari CEO, and now president of the FIA, Jean Todt believes that that Formula One would be sending the wrong message if they brought in new regulations simply in order to entice new entries. Instead, he believes that the priority for the new regulations should be to ensure that the current manufacturers sign up for the next cycle of regulations.
“Me personally, I was always pessimistic to the fact that with specific rules for Formula 1, we could have more than four manufacturers," said Toft. "Personally, I feel it’s really a great achievement to have four different powertrains for 10 teams, because it means 2.5 [engine suppliers] per team."
“I would say my priority is to make sure that we keep those four. I always said it would be very unfair to the four engaged to say ‘OK, we want to attract a new one, so let’s change everything’. So what about them? About all the investments they’ve been doing for years, and change completely the regulations because we may have one or two coming?"
“So that was one of the reasons why it was not a revolution on the engine regulations. Now if we can secure those four, for me, that would be a great achievement."
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Replies (10)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Isnt this a repost? Oh well, again, translating from FIAish: we failed to convince anyone else of joining up, and now we are scared of losing the ones we've got to boot, so just be happy for what you get. Four is a good number anyway. I like four. Dont you like four? Yes, four is a good number. Four.
f1dave
Posts: 782
Just another way of saying business as usual, big teams make the rules the FIA follows along like a little puppy dog.
Freguz
Posts: 160
As usual, talking too much. Empty barrels makes the most noise...
kngrthr
Posts: 203
dodgy maths too
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
sucks to know that, talks with Porsche/Audi failed.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
VW, one Japanese brand (I suspect Nissan, as Toyota has demented any interest in F1 for a while now) and at least one other interested AFAIK. And yet they still managed to flop it. Its kinda amazing, isnt it?
Bhurt
Posts: 320
The most surprising thing to me is that anyone thought the existing manufacturers would agree to just let others in. Had someone else entered, who exactly would buy their engines with the way Ferrari has locked up both Haas and Sauber and so on.
This was a non-story from start to finish.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Existing manufacturers probably would welcome the new ones with open arms, as who doesn't like to see the name brand competitor to make a fool of oneself while figuring ourt these complex engines?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
People who dont like competition all that much?
Bhurt
Posts: 320
@MCBHARGAV - new manufacturers coming in would have meant a whole new engine format which would have meant two things: new costs for development and having to scrap parts they had already spent a fortune developing.