Engine costs to be reduced; Guarantee of supply for teams; Token system to be scrapped; Boost pressure constraint to be introduced
Friday 29 April 2016 18:21, UK
The FIA has announced agreement has been reached on the power unit regulations for 2017-2020.
The new regulations address "four key areas relating to the cost and supply price, obligation to supply, performance convergence and the sound of the power units".
The agreement also requires the FIA to "commit to supporting power unit regulations stability" ruling out any chance of Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone being able to push through a cheaper alternative engine proposed in late 2015.
Power unit supply costs will be reduced by 1m Euros in 2017 compared to this year's price and by a further 3m Euros in 2018.
In an effort to make the field more competitive, the engine token system will be scrapped from 2017 onwards and a boost pressure constraint will be introduced for 2017 and 2018.
Cost
Agreement has been reached on a significant reduction in the price of power unit supply to customer teams and a reduction in cost to manufacturers over the coming years.
- In 2017 the power unit price for customer teams will be reduced by €1m per season compared to 2016.
- From 2018, the annual supply price will be reduced by a further €3m.
- Cost reduction on power units will be driven by changes to the Sporting and Technical regulations in 2017 and 2018, with a progressive reduction of the number of power unit elements per driver per season.
Supply
Supply of power units to customer teams will be ensured, as the homologation procedure will include an "obligation to supply" that will be activated in the event of a team facing an absence of supply.
Performance Convergence
The new agreement includes a package of measures aimed at achieving performance convergence.
- The token system is to be removed from 2017
- Additionally, constraints on power unit part weights, dimensions and materials, and on boost pressure will be introduced in 2017 and in 2018.
Sound
Manufacturers are currently conducting a promising research programme into further improving the sound of the current power units, with the aim of implementation by 2018 at the latest.
