Renault on the ropes

The F1 commission met on the weekend of the Belgian Grand Prix and one of the main topics of discussion was a proposed engine equalisation for Renault in balance of this regulations set (to the end of 2025). Although the power units of Ferrari, Honda, Mercedes and Renault, inset, were believed to be within 10bhp of each other at the end of last season, Renault is now around 25bhp behind the pack despite the engine freeze. Gains have typically been made with fuel and lubricant advances and reliability fixes. But it’s about more than just peak power with the hybrid generation of power units. When recovery efficiencies are taken into account, informed sources suggest the power unit is around 0.5sec off the pace.

Red Bull’s Christian Horner was open to the idea of allowing a period of grace to give Renault the chance of a re-equalisation with additional dyno time. “Otherwise they will be locked in for two years so I wouldn’t be averse to a sensible discussion,” he commented. However, the other engine manufacturers have not adopted such a charitable stance. Mercedes and Ferrari in particular are absolutely opposed. Mercedes’ Toto Wolff commented: “Once we have a common understanding of what the missing performance is, we need to discuss how many more dyno hours and jokers can be given. That’s something we need to discuss. But touching any kind of fuel flow or BoP [Balance of Performance] is a disaster and a declaration of bankruptcy for Formula 1. It shouldn’t even be talked about.”

No agreement was reached but it was decided that it will be discussed at the next Commission meeting.