Formula One to freeze engines from 2022 in boost for Red Bull in its bid to overhaul Mercedes
ByReuters
Updated 11/02/2021 at 18:03 GMT
The governing FIA hailed the decision at a virtual Formula One commission meeting as "a significant development for the sport" that reflected "the unity and collaborative spirit between the FIA, Formula One and the teams." Honda are leaving the sport at the end of this season, and Red Bull could not afford to develop them
Mercedes-Superstar Lewis Hamitlon (rechts) und Red-Bull-Pilot Max Verstappen
Image credit: Getty Images
Formula One teams and manufacturers agreed unanimously on Thursday to freeze engine development from the start of the 2022 season in a move that paves the way for Bed Bull to continue using Honda-designed engines.
Honda are leaving the sport at the end of this year and Red Bull had said their continued use of the Japanese manufacturer's engines depended on a freeze because they could not afford to develop them.
The governing FIA hailed the vote at a virtual Formula One commission meeting as "a significant development for the sport" that reflected "the unity and collaborative spirit between the FIA, Formula One and the teams."
Formula One is due to introduce major aerodynamic changes next year, shaking up the sport that has been dominated by Mercedes since the introduction of the V6 turbo hybrid engines in 2014.
Red Bull would have been faced with a choice of switching to Renault engines, the default position since they supply the fewest number of teams, continue with an increasingly uncompetitive unit or depart.
Honda have said they plan to continue developing their engine, which won three of the 17 races last year with Red Bull and sister team AlphaTauri, in 2021.
The FIA said a new power unit to be used from 2025 would need to be "powerful and emotive", have environmental sustainability, cost less and be attractive to manufacturers wishing to enter the sport.
It would also have to use fully sustainable fuel.
The FIA confirmed also that Portugal was set to fill the empty third slot on this year's calendar left vacant by Vietnam.
It is the intention of Formula One to fill the position with a race in Portugal on the dates already held in the calendar. The final agreement is still subject to contract with the promoter," it said.
There was no immediate green light for the idea of holding 'sprint' races on Saturdays at some grands prix, as a new way of qualifying for Sunday's main event and with championship points awarded, although teams were supportive.
"All teams recognised the major importance of engaging fans in new and innovative ways to ensure an even more exciting weekend format," the FIA said.
"There was, therefore, broad support from all parties for a new qualifying format at some races, and a working group has been tasked with creating a complete plan with the aim to reach a final decision before the start for the 2021 Championship."
The number of days allocated for tyre testing was increased from 25 to 30 this year at Pirelli's request, with Formula One switching to 18-inch tyres in 2022.
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