WilliamsF1 wrote: The implementation of the new formula I4 was done with costs in mind.
As maximizing engine efficiency is the core for the formula the engine the experimenting of various configuration was pointless, technical think tanks zeroed in on the I4 config as a starting point...
I think it was a reaction to the whole world foreseeing the worst during/after the crisis, and F1 thought it was better to apologize in advance for being perceived as a resource wasteful sport, so marketing wise it was good to be perceived as being frugal, lean, etc. even if you were in reality wasting more than before just because of the whole effort of switching from config A to B.
Plus, when you say 'technical think tanks' zeroing in on stuff, I think we all remember what happened the last time they came up with a 'fix' to F1's aero problem in 09. And regardless of where you stood on the double diffuser debate, the end result was several millions spent to accomplish nothing.
Alejandro L.