Formula One has quietly dropped a requirement for engines to last three successive races this season. Article 28.4 of the 2009 sporting regulations, posted on the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA)'s website (www.fia.com) this week, makes no mention of having to use engines in sequence. "Each driver may use no more than eight engines during a championship season," the article declares. "Should a driver use more than eight engines, he will drop 10 places on the starting grid at any event during which an additional engine is used." There are 17 races this season, starting in Australia on March 29. An FIA spokesman confirmed the new rule would allow drivers to use their eight engines in whatever sequence they wished. A Ferrari spokesman said however that some of the details concerning the application of penalties had still to be clarified. The FIA's world motor sport council said in a statement last month that there would be an eight engine quota per driver but added that the three-race rule previously agreed in November would remain in force. Drivers had to make their engines last for two races in a row last season or incur a 10-place penalty, although they were allowed one 'free' change. Britain's now-retired Red Bull driver David Coulthard used one of his engines for three races last year for strategic reasons. The requirement for gearboxes to last four successive races remains in force. Ermmm ......I see change is here to stay...
Hmmmm what is cheaper? Designing an engine that can survive 3 races and supply 8 engines or designing an engine to survive one race and then building 20 of those. DC six laps
As much as you wish - you have a budget of 8 engines over the whole season. Extreme example: if you use a new one in every one of the first 7 races, the one for the 8th race has to last until the 17th race. In reality, we'll most probably see 7 engines for two and one for three races.
Not quite, if I read it correctly. In that particular scenario after the first seven races teams will be able to re-use any of the seven previously used rather than using the eighth for all the remaining races in the season. The advantage of the new system is that teams will be able to choose, within limits, when to use a new engine and can 'save' them for particularly important races, or perhaps for circuits that are really hard on engines.
That's exactly what the FIA and F wit Max likes, Brian. However on the surface it's seems a better idea. The FIA's world motor sport council said in a statement last month that there would be an eight engine quota per driver but added that the three-race rule previously AGREED! in November would remain in force..so the three race engine still applies. A Ferrari spokesman said however that some of the details concerning the application of penalties had still to be clarified.. This bit ^ as per norm is left open...glad it has been pointed out.
If you could get enough power out of an engine only built to last 1 race, but powerful enough to over come the 10 grid places (especially since it should be easier to overtake thanks to reduced down force) then build 17 engines and take the penalty for 9 races. 8 wins should definitely be enough to take the championship. I like this rule. the more strategy the better.
