New engine rules agreed from 2017 to 2020 do not include a mechanism for forcing convergence in performance between power units.
In a press briefing at the Circuit de Catalunya the FIA’s head of power train Fabrice Lom said the new rules will “help convergence” but not force it.
“We are not mandating convergence,” said Lom, “there is no prescribed convergence.”
“So we just put measure that should help convergence. Naturally the convergence will come with the stability of regulation and we try to speed up the convergence by having these measures but there is no prescribed convergence.”
It is hoped that a relaxation of some areas of the regulations and the introduction of standardised components elsewhere will lead engine manufacturers towards more similar performance levels.
“We free the tokens because the [manufacturers] that are a bit behind wanted no limitation of development to try to recover,” Lom explained. “We also put limits on some performance-related dimensions.”
“We put limits on the crankshaft dimensions, on the weights of some parts, so we are sure that there are limits on the development on these items. These limits were put where the best one is today, so that people know the target and also allow us to stop the best ones to develop more, to go lighter or smaller, so that we put something like a bit of a barrier to development.”
“I honestly don’t think you are limiting the global development for road cars,” he said. “We are far ahead of road cars.”
“They can work on the cells but the integration of the thing must be within certain limits to not go too far in Formula One. So it’s really only impacting Formula One. I don’t think it’s impacting all the rest.”
Reports the FIA has set a target of three-tenths of a second performance difference between power units around the Circuit de Catalunya were rejected by Lom. “This figure of 0.3s is apparently something that went in the media,” he said.
However the FIA intends to monitor engine performance by means other than sheer lap time and may refer the subject of convergence to the Strategy Group for further discussion.
“There is nothing prescribed, as I said, but we will measure it at the beginning of each season and if it is considered to be not at the level that we expect to be, we will come back to the Strategy Group and just report, and then what will happen will be a decision of the Strategy Group, according to the F1 governance we have today.”
2017 F1 season
- Sepang pays Haas compensation for Grosjean’s 2017 crash
- Williams revenues rose in 2017 after Bottas deal with Mercedes
- Australian Grand Prix cost government £56 million last year
- “Grand Prix Driver” takes you inside McLaren’s nightmare final year with Honda
- Undisputed champion: 10 titles name Hamilton top driver of 2017
Todfod (@todfod)
13th May 2016, 23:07
So … basically no performance convergence.
Looks like Lewis is set to break all kinds of records before 2020
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
13th May 2016, 23:27
@todfod I think you are right, Merc won the battle.
Merc gave in on the aero discussion (Both Merc drivers were advertising for no more downforce), RB though wasn’t able to further compromise Mercedes strengths by unshackling the vicious PU rules that have been in place till now (I’m referring restrictions on tokens, development and parts that further enhance Merc). Finally the increase on tyre width may keep mechanical grip from being swallowed by the aero gain slightly so I’d say Merc is happy, Lewis wasn’t as negative towards next year’s rules as he has been in the past, good compromise for Merc.
sunny stivala
14th May 2016, 9:28
according to reports doing the rounds mostly in “SUN” like media of F1 Lulu might abandon his hamfosi followers from next year.
Joao (@johnmilk)
13th May 2016, 23:46
@todfod they say there is no prescribed convergence but they putted limits based on the benchmark. Guess who is the benchmark?
The ones behind have more room to improve and reach that benchmark. I believe the PUs should be quite similar by 2018/19
Andy (@andybantam)
13th May 2016, 23:17
Nothing ever changes (but the shoes)…
Steve
14th May 2016, 0:05
Wooo Hoooo vacuum cleaners with halos on top for 3 more years! What a joke has this spectacle become?
Armchair Expert (@foreverred)
14th May 2016, 0:13
Yay. Convergence has no place in F1 unless it’s done/happens naturally. If a manufacture builds the best engine they should be able to use it and decide who uses it too. There’s supposed to be competition between the engine manufactures right? What’s the point of having different brands if there isn’t?
ColdFly F1 (@)
14th May 2016, 8:31
thanks @foreverred (and Tristan, @jureo below)
Fully agree, one of the more mature (yes ‘Steve‘ I’m looking at you) and thought through comments to this article.
Emi
14th May 2016, 21:59
This.
Forced convergence is stupidity at its max limits.
If you want all the engines performing the same, then mandate a spec one made by only one manufactuter and say goodbye to high costs (and F1 too)
Tristan
14th May 2016, 5:13
Contrary to the popular opinion lately of taking every opportunity to have a whinge, I think this is a good decision. More rules, this time to artificially force performance convergence could only be a bad thing. The sport has a lot more problems at its core than one manufacturer having a better engine.
That the token system is gone is enough, and should allow other manufacturers to research and develop in new areas for improvement.
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
14th May 2016, 6:25
Great rule. Without token system and area restrictions, nothing stops Honda from copying Mercedes design.
And this really is the best scenario develop all you want, rules stability, enforce price to teams.
If say Renault wants to dump 500M at it and make a mega hybrid, let them.
sunny stivala
14th May 2016, 9:36
Renault will do better look for something other than the reported copying of HCCI and TJI as reported by some self appointed experts if they want to match Mercedes and FERRARI, and the red bullies should be careful next year not to repeat the mistake of jumping from a plane believing they can get a parachute on their way down.