FIA considering F1 engine rules changes after Honda meeting

[Gambit]

The FIA is considering whether or not it should make further changes to Formula 1 rules, following a meeting with Honda this week.

Representatives of the Japanese car manufacturer met with F1 race director Charlie Whiting on Monday for discussions about the governing body's stance to the engine homologation rules.

Honda is unhappy that a rules clarification issued by the FIA at the end of last year allows its rival to continue developing their engines throughout 2015, while its own power unit must remain frozen.

It feels that the decision by the FIA to impose on it a February 28 homologation date, with no room for it to update its engine until next winter, will put it at a disadvantage.

But with FIA sources having made clear that Honda had never been due any freedom to upgrade its engine anyway, and remains free to keep working on it unhindered until the end of next month, there remained differing views about just how much the rules interpretation would hold it back.

Although no details of what was agreed in Monday's meeting have been revealed, it is understood the discussions went well and the FIA has agreed to reconsider the matter.

However, although talks between Honda and the FIA on the situation are likely to continue, there is no guarantee that Honda will get any of the concessions it would like.

If the FIA decides that Honda should be treated differently though, then it could allow it the same 32 development tokens that Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes are allowed to use to improve their power units this season.

That would then put it on the same development path over future campaigns without it feeling that it has been put at a disadvantage by joining the new turbo rules formula a year later than everyone else.

However, giving Honda too much freedom could leave Renault, Ferrari and Mercedes upset, because some of their design has been totally frozen for nearly 12 months now, during which time Honda has been able to take on board lessons and improve its own concept.

[Jay762]

words escape me - no in fact it is the other way around, overload - this race series needs to sort itself out

[Gambit]

I'm with you mate, as a fan from alsorts of motorsport if it's 2 wheels or 4. One rule for one, and one rule for another. FIA have screwed WRC overlook's the same with F1. I can't see how they can allow their two biggest teams to get away with such things..... Oh wait, hold the phone bribe payment coming through  -_-

 

But my personal note make F1 good again allow all the teams the same rights through the year to develop, more so with the change th the awful turbo engine. I just hope next year, well this year is better. 

[bowthruster]

As a button fan and long time f1 supporter they do seem to be F***ing things up big style.Agree with you gambit.

[Gambit]

I'm glad you understood what I was saying was a bit of a drunk rant but I meant it :D 

 

I'm just amazed teams haven't threatened to pull out of the sport for things like this. I know the FIA is scared or it appears to be of the two biggest teams if they upset them, and don't give a !Removed! about the smaller teams I do like Mclaren and Ferrari but hate to see unbalanced favoritism. And after seeing teams going bust it's these teams the sports need to keep it interesting I love seeing the little shock wins :)   

[bowthruster]

They don't like upsetting Ferrari and co...Nice to see the underdogs win :) I normally go to Silverstone but not last year...For 1.Its so F***ing expensive,and 2.The sound was putting me off...Spoke to a few people who did go and the sound or lack of it did **** them off.I know times change and so on but ??I watched that Formula EE the Battery ones on itv,some good racing but no sound its !Removed! awful..

[Gambit]

Haha yeah I watched them too it's weird you expect to hear something as they go past but it's nothing just like a !Removed! in the wind. They have them on a game Forza too I can't drive them as I listen to the engine to change gear with them nothing much to go by I have to look at the lights on the wheel :D 

[Gambit]

Honda allowed engine development during 2015 F1 season

 

 

Honda has succeeded in its bid to convince the FIA to allow it some engine development during the 2015 Formula 1 season.

Following a meeting between the Japanese car manufacturer and F1 race director Charlie Whiting last Monday, the FIA agreed to consider tweaking the engine rules.

It came after Honda was left upset that rivals Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault would be allowed to introduce upgrades throughout 2015 while it had to stick with the power unit it has to homologate on February 28.

Honda felt that treating it in such a way was unfair and left it facing the prospect of losing ground to its rivals over the course of the campaign.

Following the meeting, the FIA has reconsidered its position and agreed that Honda can have some room to introduce developments, so it is treated as equally as possible to the current car makers.

In a document sent to teams by Whiting on Friday, a copy of which has been seen by AUTOSPORT, the governing body clarified how new entrants would be treated.

It has been agreed that during the year of their entry, new manufacturers like Honda will be allowed as many improvements as other engine makers are planning to introduce.

Whiting stated: "As each of the four 2015 manufacturers will have an homologated power unit at the start of the season, we believe it would be fair to ensure that each of them enjoys equal opportunities for upgrades during the season.

"We will therefore allow the new manufacturer to use the same number of tokens that the other three manufacturers have available to them, taken as an average of the three.

"For example, if the three 2014 manufacturers have eight, seven and five unused tokens respectively at the start of the season, then the new manufacturer will be allowed to use six during the season (the average rounded down to the nearest whole number)."

The current manufacturers have a total of 32 tokens that can be used to improve their engines for this year, although it is likely the upgrades will be split between the winter and later in the campaign.

As each year goes on, the number of tokens available decreases.

[bowthruster]

I bet merc complain........

[Gambit]

Bound to happen now flood gates have opened. But if any team was under the same restrictions I think they should.

[bowthruster]

Totally agree.Should all be a level playing field at the end of the day.Just read about Pirelli changing the compound of the tyres and merc aren't happy about as they had a few issues a few years ago-but who knows...