Competition using Ferrari Engines

Because the rules say they have to

And

Because it helps them to get their claws into younger drivers

 

Is that true? I didn't think there were any rules that a team must supply any of the others, but haven't checked the regs on that.

OTOH, I would guess supplying the other two pretty much covers their own engine costs for the season, which has gotta be nice......

Cheers,
Ian

 

It's true. I believe regs say all engine manufacturers have to be able to supply X amount of teams with engines.


Mark

 

Hmmm. You could be right, but I've just scanned both the sporting & technical regs and can't find anything along those lines - I may have missed it, but did find this, which also surprised me a little;

My emphasis added.... I didn't know they could change motors mid season... And you've gotta love "may" count! But, nothing to say they must supply other guys.

Cheers,
Ian

 

I think Arrows ditched the Porsche lump mid season as did Coloni with the Subie and Life with the W12, but we're going back a year or two .

No idea anyone had to make engines available to other teams. What happens if no one wants your engine, would you be forced to pay another team to take it ?

 

Damn girl!..... A true modern day historian of the sport here!

Yeah, I kinda think they just figure it out as they go - When many suppliers are available, each supplies one or two. In "leaner" times the engine guys appear to share the load. I suspect (but again, certainly don't claim to know) that customer engine supply may be a nice money maker for 'em - Or at least cover their own team supply costs.

Cheers,
Ian

 

I noticed the clause that a manufacturer MAY NOT supply engines to more than three teams without approval of the FIA.

That casts the practice as something desirable to the manufacturer, but regulated / limited by the rules. It also implies, to me at least, an attempt to maintain variability in the field. If the Merc or the Renault were the runaway, hands down power plant of choice, what's to stop every team on the grid from picking one up? That clause would.

(I have spent waaaay too much time sifting through contracts trying to find ulterior motives lately, so maybe I am reading too much into those few words...)

 

SO that makes Renault the exception as per the FIA....?

Caterham
Red Bull
Lotus
Williams?

and in 2010 Cosworth had 4 as well if I am not mistaken?

HRT, Lotus, Marussia, and Williams. 2 exceptions in 3 years for the FIA. I understand the Mercedes is up on everyone in HP, Renualt is the most reliable and Ferrari is in the middle?

 

One advantage of supplying engines to other teams is that the team then votes the way you want when it comes to rule changes and their cars tend to get out of the way pretty quick when lapping them.