WhiteBlue wrote:That is not correct in my view. The proposed F1 engine is based on the same block as other GRE engines would be, but it would not follow the additional restrictions for lower classes, where a lot more technical restrictions are set to make the concept very affordable to engine tuners and manufacturers alike. F1 is not in the same situation as some series that can only afford engines cost of some €100k per annum. They can easily absorb several million which leads to a wider technical scope than the GRE concept offers. To me the choice to use the same type of block makes sense as more manufacturers will be attracted over the long run and it is a very efficient concept.
Indeed, with the GRE-concept manufactures wouldn't have to manufacture one specific, homologated engine for all racing series, but to design one basic, homologated engine block with allowed modifications varying from series to series. Baretzky gave the example of allowing turbochargers in Formula 1, while banning those modifications in Formula 3.
The analysis about the F1 participants is correct but the conclusion is somewhat short sighted. F1 has always had restrictions on engine configurations since the first Concord agreement in 1981.
We live in different times now. The public demand has changed and stakeholders have varying interests. One blueprint doesn't seem the right answer any more. Therefore no longer one specific engine configuration should be mandated.
One could argue that such would cause a spending race. I disagree for a number of reasons. First, throughout Formula 1's history and specifically the recent past it was proven that success can't be bought. Second, with well written regulations there wouldn't be an absolute point of perfection and manufacturing a race-winning car wouldn't be a matter of on-going development with all resources available, but a matter of human instincts and strategy. Allowing any engine configuration would fit. It would a repeat of what was accidentally and to some extent achieved in the early-1980's, when teams had to choose between engine power or downforce created by the underbody.
Of course, with regulations providing an absolute point of perfection an enforced budget and/or resource restriction could prevent a spending race. However, this would be just another restriction. A restriction which would be undesirable and against the spirit of the series.
I don't agree with that view. We have sports cars for closed wheels. F1 should remain open wheel and open cockpit. The proper answer is to pursue a low drag, ground effect using, open wheel chassis as proposed by the FiA expert group for 2013. It is a shame that this plan was shot down by the teams because they fear that it will shake up the current performance order. Active aero, active suspension and AWD is something that I agree with.
I find this reasonable and defensible. But if Formula 1 is to stay an open-wheel series, regarding aerodynamics the sport is never going to be relevant. If aerodynamics are not to be made more relevant, it wouldn't make any sense to allow teams to develop active aero, which would also be irrelevant to due Formula 1's open-wheel characteristic.