F1: Red Bull, Force India supportive of Ecclestone's engine plans
The team bosses from Red Bull Racing and Force India are both intrigued by Bernie Ecclestone’s new engine plans.
Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner says he's open to the idea of two types of engine competing in F1 from 2017.
Intriguing, the idea could also open the door for Renault to make a version of such an engine. Given the ongoing problems with the Renault hybrid V6 that could potentially give Red Bull Racing an alternative future path, and a chance to level the playing field, depending on how the FIA manages parity between the two types of engines.
“It's an interesting concept,” said Horner. “We ought to have a good look at it and explore the pros and cons, to be honest with you. It's happened before, and you might get certain engines competitive at different tracks, and it might move things around a bit. It's certainly worth a good debate.
“It's certainly interesting. I would think Renault would certainly consider it – it's more of a question for Renault than it is for me. But I would have thought they would certainly consider it.”
The biggest challenge is how the FIA would ensure that there's fair competition between the two types.
“There are all kinds of permutations that clever engineers can come up with, but first of all let's have a look at the concept. These days simulation is very accurate, we can simulate what the outcome could be, and then decisions could be made on an informed basis rather than guessing.”
Asked what the odds were on F1 ending up with two engine specs in the future Horner said: “No idea. Ask me in a month.”
Force India also supports Bernie Ecclestone's plan to introduce a budget 'customer' engine that will run in competition with the current works hybrid V6s.
“I think the principle of maintaining the V6 hybrid is absolutely correct and proper,” said Force India's Bob Fernley. “From the manufacturers' point of view it's very beneficial both for their marketing and technical programs. I don't see any doubt that the hybrid has a long-term future in F1.
“What Bernie is looking at is that the independent teams will be offered a 'parity' engine, possibly a V8 with KERS, at a half of the price at least of what we are paying today. Of course, as an independent team to be able to cut our costs down by half and have parity with the V6s is attractive. It doesn't disadvantage us, we're still putting on a great show.
“If say Cosworth brought in a V8 with a KERS system it would be a very, very good unit. The advantage to that is we've got an independent supplier, and there's nothing wrong with that for the health of F1. I think Cosworth and Renault are the two operations that can do it.
The obvious drawback is that there will be a debate on how the FIA can ensure parity, but Fernley does not see that as a problem.
“At the end of the day the teams cannot survive on the current cost base. So I think Bernie's initiative has got tremendous merit. Whether it causes a few issues in terms of discomfort in determining where parity is... Well there is already discomfort between where Mercedes are and where Renault are! You're always going to have that.
“I don't think it devalues F1. We run with different chassis, so why can't we run with different engines? We've done it in the past, and sometimes it's been successful and sometimes it hasn't, but we haven't got parity today.”
Fernley says there has been no move from the current suppliers to reduce the prices they charge the independent teams for the current engines: “At the moment it's not on the table and it's not something that the manufacturers want to consider.
“The only other thing that's been on the table is to reduce costs, but not have a parity engine. Why would we want that?”
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