Ferrari, Renault see loophole in freeze rules

[JPMFerrari]

Mercedes' F1 engine rivals are targeting a 'loophole' in the regulations, according to media reports.

Speed Week claims the 2015 season could kick off next March amid a dispute, as Ferrari and Renault reportedly sense a chance to swerve around the highly-contested engine 'freeze' rules.

Efforts this year to relax the homologation restrictions for 2015 were thwarted by Mercedes, the dominant force in 2014, as any change for next season required unanimity.

But correspondent Rob La Salle claims Ferrari and Renault believe they have uncovered a loophole in the 'freeze' rules that gives them more time to work on improving their turbo V6 engines.

It was originally thought that each manufacturer needed to 'homologate' its engine specification for the entire 2015 season by February 28.

As a newcomer, it is believed Honda must indeed adhere to this deadline. But the reports claim that no such date is actually set for existing engine suppliers.

Instead, the rules state only that Renault and Ferrari, as existing suppliers, may homologate only one new engine for the entire 2015 season.

That could be interpreted as a green light for them to start next season with their 2014 engines, giving them more time to improve the 2015-specifications before their race debut and 'freeze' at an unspecified later date.

Correspondent La Salle said the engine makers and the FIA are essentially arguing over the unfortunate wording of the rules.

"The FIA," he said, "would argue in a dispute that whatever you bring to Australia is your 'one engine' for the season.

"The governing body wants to resolve the matter within the coming weeks," he added.

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns29611.html

[paolo lalli]

Mercedes have had 2 years of advantage some fi clown gave them long ago the direction engines would be going they are running scared and will block any changes to the rule they know ferrari will pounce and so will red bull take them on .

[AfterLife]

As i understand it is not a huge advantage. So if Ferrari or Renault want to use this loophole, they can postponed their 2015 power unit spec for homologation for 4 or 5 races and use their 2014 power unit spec for the first 4 or 5 races to further develop their 2015 power unit spec and homologate 2015 power unit from 6th race of the season.

[JPMFerrari]

As i understand it is not a huge advantage. So if Ferrari or Renault want to use this loophole, they can postponed their 2015 power unit spec for homologation for 4 or 5 races and use their 2014 power unit spec for the first 4 or 5 races to further develop their 2015 power unit spec and homologate 2015 power unit from 6th race of the season.

Although not huge, it would still be helpful.

[SS454]

As long as Mercedes holds such an enormous edge in horsepower over engine rivals, F1 will remain boring to everyone other than a Mercedes fan. I'd much rather be beaten by a chassis than an engine, as at least Ferrari can do something about their chassis to make it better... the engine is what it is.

[Kiwi Nick]

As long as Mercedes holds such an enormous edge in horsepower over engine rivals, F1 will remain boring to everyone other than a Mercedes fan. I'd much rather be beaten by a chassis than an engine, as at least Ferrari can do something about their chassis to make it better... the engine is what it is.

+1

[fmatiasii]

Is Mercedes afraid of Ferrari or Renault?

[Sriharsha]

Is Mercedes afraid of Ferrari or Renault?

Its a bit 50/50.
First Option : No Worry
We saw how much dominant the engine / chassis and there is lot more to come from Hybrid department for Mercedes which makes more or less them unbeatable even more.
Second Option : Afraid
Despite the Dominance the Merc might fear they will get into the law of diminishing returns very quick and will make them standard or put better a sitting duck in terms of Development at years to come which is not necessarily in 2016. If Ferrari and Renault changes the rules with majority vote then that will play into Merc's Hands at first with pulling out a bit more ahead than others but after again they will hit the dead end of development very quickly
So its interesting to see how the future pan out for us and Mercedes

[Hornet]

Although not huge, it would still be helpful.

The trade off seems kind of big though. Our 2014 PU is already behind Merc, add the improvement Merc brings to their new PU, and we would be very far behind. This could mean that for every race we use the 2014 PU, we will be behind all Merc powered cars, losing tons of points.

Is Mercedes afraid of Ferrari or Renault?

Doubt so, but they will want to protect the huge lead they have. Not only do they want to win, they want to ensure that Ferrari and Renault remains far away as long as possible.

And to be fair, every team will want to do the same in Merc position. That's just how it works.

[Senna4Ever]

Is Mercedes afraid of Ferrari or Renault?

or are Ferrari and Renault afraid that they also are far behind?

[Nova]

I say go for the loopholes. Its a Brawn sort of brash move, n
it worked for him. No time to be timid. Do it.:xmasbiggrin: Ho ho ho :xmasbiggrin:

[wickedf1]

Exploit the loopholes! Then in 2016, we can all use the majority vote to modify the rules and catch up with Mercedes. :xmascool:

[S1000RR]

I sure hope we will sort out our PU problems. Once read an article; Toto Wolff said if they don't change the rules they have an advantage untill 2020... they are also finetuning their hybrid system; gaining 40-50 bhp.

If they don't unfreeze the engine development the next 5 years will be booooooooooooooring.

[gvera]

I say go for the loopholes. Its a Brawn sort of brash move, n
it worked for him. No time to be timid. Do it.:xmasbiggrin: Ho ho ho :xmasbiggrin:

OK, exploit the loophole, but for how long?
Remember they will have to use the 2014 engine in the meantime, and if the layout of the 2015 engine is different as it's said, then they probably won't be able to use the 2015 bodywork either.
So in this scenario Ferrari starts the season with an old undepowered engine and interim aero, great.
How many races can they afford to run in those specs?

[Kiwi Nick]

OK, exploit the loophole, but for how long?
Remember they will have to use the 2014 engine in the meantime, and if the layout of the 2015 engine is different as it's said, then they probably won't be able to use the 2015 bodywork either.
So in this scenario Ferrari starts the season with an old undepowered engine and interim aero, great.
How many races can they afford to run in those specs?

How many seasons can they afford to slide farther and farther behind because there is not enough development time?

[ManFromMilan]

If they don't unfreeze the engine development the next 5 years will be booooooooooooooring.

Oh no, Bernie says Merc saved the season. So expect the next five years to be even better if Merc continues to dominate.

[JPMFerrari]

How many seasons can they afford to slide farther and farther behind because there is not enough development time?

That's the real decision.

[S1000RR]

Oh no, Bernie says Merc saved the season. So expect the next five years to be even better if Merc continues to dominate.

[bondilad]

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/all-stories/

we don't need loopholes. Bernie is brining back the v10's

[Nova]

OK, exploit the loophole, but for how long?
Remember they will have to use the 2014 engine in the meantime, and if the layout of the 2015 engine is different as it's said, then they probably won't be able to use the 2015 bodywork either.
So in this scenario Ferrari starts the season with an old undepowered engine and interim aero, great.
How many races can they afford to run in those specs?

As long as it takes. Exploit everything, find every loophole, push it to the limits. No time 2 b safe.
Safe is slow..Just what do you think Brawn would do if he was at the helm? Lay down n take this?
Ho ho ho...Go go go :xmassmile::xmaswink::xmasbiggrin::xmastongue::xma scool:

[Hornet]

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/all-stories/

we don't need loopholes. Bernie is brining back the v10's

I doubt Bernie will get much support among the teams.

[zike]

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/all-stories/

we don't need loopholes. Bernie is brining back the v10's

:xmasbiggrin: this would be nice

[AfterLife]

I doubt Bernie will get much support among the teams.

Even bernie's children won't agree on reverting to V10. I am sure.

[bondilad]

Wouldn't it be nice though. ......Even to imagine

[paolo lalli]

Mercedes may as well race themselves if totto wolfs predictions are correct he is virtually implying that other teams have no chance well thats your loop hole and yes it will be totally boring if you think you have seen tv audiances drop and crowd numbers shrink then hang on because you have seen nothing yet fi rules on engines need a shake up fi is bleeding