The FIA are going to allow people to apply to have changes allowed. Persumably to get over reliability, minor performance issues. The way I read it was that the FIA will then decide whether to allow the change to be homologated or not.......
Used properly, this would allow the FIA to obtain a certain amount of parity between engines and hold them there. Of course, it could be wide open to being abused..........that would cause all sorts of trouble
Don't forget a standard ECU is coming on stream - so, let's say the rev limit is set at 19000rpm, then most of the current crop of engines will be relatively under-stressed.
BTW - I'm not so sure Cosworth have got reliability problems, some of the stuff that has caused the car to stop looks like installation issues to me.
I wonder if they will be homologating fuels & oils too?
Unless I am really missing the point, with a standard ECU and a rev limit the manufacturers will have very little to gain in developing the engines (just as long as they are light/stiff and last the distance). So, you will probably see engines with much more performance parity than now.
Sorry, I don't think we will see F1 engines in road cars - better to test them on benches than let them out in the hands of Joe Public in un-controlled conditions
