FIA proposes new engine regulations for 2021
FIA held a meeting today, 31 October, in Paris to discuss the regulations for the post-2020 Power Unit. The sport's governing body presented manufacturers with the roadmap and key features of future Power Units.
Paris was the scene of action today: in the presence of FIA President Jean Todt, representatives of the governing body and the Commercial Rights Holder, current and potential manufacturer representatives gathered together to discuss the power unit regulation which will come into force in 2021.
The current double-hybrid engine formula was introduced at the beginning of 2014 and will remain to be in force until the end of the 2020 season. This engine regulation which has been best mastered by Mercedes so far and brought a single-team domination was heavily criticised since its inception.
Therefore, the FIA developed a new proposal using data and input from teams, power unit suppliers and outside experts.
The overall framework for the future power unit regulation will be published at the end of 2017. As FIA intends to uphold the aim of cost reduction, work will continue in the next months. The complete regulation is expected to be finalized and published at the end of 2018.
It is expected that certain parts of the power unit will be standardized and the hybrid elements will be simplified in order to lure other engine manufacturers into the sport. Futhermore, FIA will also work with the current and possible engine-makers to put restraint on power unit test and development to further pursue the objective of cost reduction.
The most determining factors were the reduction in cost, maintaining road relevance with hybrid technology and improving the sound of cars.
Manufacturer representatives were presented with the vision for the key new features of the 2021 Power Unit proposed by the FIA and F1. These are as follows:
• 1.6 Litre, V6 Turbo Hybrid
• 3000rpm higher engine running speed range to improve the sound
• Prescriptive internal design parameters to restrict development costs and discourage extreme designs and running conditions
• Removal of the MGUH
• More powerful MGUK with focus on manual driver deployment in race together with option to save up energy over several laps to give a driver controlled tactical element to racing
• Single turbo with dimensional constraints and weight limits
• Standard energy store and control electronics
• High Level of external prescriptive design to give ‘Plug-And-Play’ engine/chassis/transmission swap capability
• Intention to investigate tighter fuel regulations and limits on number of fuels used
The managing director of Formula 1, Ross Brawn was content with the outcome of the meeting.
“The 2021 power unit is an example of the future way the FIA as regulators, F1 as commercial right holders, the teams and the manufacturers as stakeholders will work together for the common good of the sport. The proposal presented today was the outcome of a series of meeting which took place during 2017 with the current teams participating in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship and the manufacturers who showed their interest to be part of the pinnacle of motor sport.”
The Briton said the proposal was developed based on the feedback of the fans.
“Also, we’ve carefully listened to what the fans think about the current PU and what they would like to see in the near future with the objective to define a set of regulations which will provide a powertrain that is simpler, cheaper and noisier and will create the conditions to facilitate new manufacturers to enter Formula 1 as powertrain suppliers and to reach a more levelled field in the sport. The new F1 has the target to be the world’s leading global sports competition married to state of the art technology. To excite, engage, and awe fans of all ages but to do so in a sustainable manner. We believe that the future power unit will achieve this,” concluded the former Ferrari and Mercedes chief.
