Regulations seemingly rule out Red Bull using year-old engines
Wednesday 14 October 2015 15:48, UK
The FIA have ruled customer power units must be of the same specification as that of the works team in 2016.
Paddock rumour in Russia suggested Ferrari were willing to provide Toro Rosso with a 2015 specification unit next year, as the Red Bull-backed teams struggle to find an engine supply for 2016.
However, the newly-published FIA F1 Sporting Regulations stipulate that all engines must be the same specification as the unit homologated on February 28 next year.
'Only power units which are identical to the power unit that has been homologated by the FIA in accordance with Appendix 4 of these regulations may be used at an Event during the 2016-2020 Championship seasons,' reads article 23.5 of the 2016 sporting regulations.
However, it remains to be seen if such a strict application of the regulations would be implemented at the potential cost of Red Bull and Toro Rosso leaving the sport. While Red Bull have demanded engine parity from their prospective suppliers, Toro Rosso are rumoured to have agreed a deal with Ferrari that would see them use 2015-spec units next season.
Underlining the potential for compromise, the Manor-Marussia team currently run with a year-old supply of Ferrari engines this term. Under the 2015 Sporting Regulations the 2014 homologation remained legal, but manufacturers could also homologate a new unit. That has been closed off for 2016.
No mention is made of in-season development being permitted as was the case with a token system in 2015, but Appendix 4 does permit reliability and cost-cutting updates.
'A manufacturer may apply to the FIA during the course of the homologation period to carry out modifications to their homologated power unit for the sole purposes of reliability, safety, cost-saving,' it reads.
Adrian Newey claimed the FIA had the power to balance the performance of power units and it appears there may be some scope for this in Appendix 4.
'Any manufacturer intending to homologate a new power unit during the 2016-2020 period must provide the FIA with full details of the power unit on or before 28 February of the year of homologation,' it reads.
'The FIA must be satisfied, at its absolute discretion, that such a power unit could fairly and equitably be allowed to compete with other homologated power units.'
