Ferrari denies a power increase on its engine
Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has denied recent rumors which suggested Ferrari – having validated the reliability of its V6 – was more confident to run its power unit a bit more aggressively by increasing performance.
In recent weeks, several media reported a rumor suggesting that Ferrari had taken the decision to increase the power of its engine, which would explain the superiority of the Italian team in terms of top speed on the various circuits visited so far. now since the start of the championship. But as Mattia Binotto pointed out, the engine development freeze came into effect on March 1 and no team on the grid can make improvements to their power units in order to contain costs and give engine manufacturers enough time. to prepare for the arrival of a new engine in 2026.
This freeze concerns the internal combustion engine, turbo, MGU-H, exhaust system and engine oil specifications as well as fuels. However, the MGU-K, the battery and the electronics can still be modified until September 1, 2022. After this date of September 1, no more changes will be authorized unless there is a special dispensation to allow an engine manufacturer too behind others to catch up.
» It’s not correct. We have completely redesigned our powertrain since last year, especially on the internal combustion side, and we have also introduced a new fuel. On the hybrid part, we introduced some changes last year that we have kept in terms of concept for the current season. » Mattia Binotto explained to us at Imola last weekend about these rumours.
« Throughout the winter we’ve tried to focus on top performance and getting good reliability out of that and what we have at the start of the season is our package which is now frozen for the rest of the season and the following. There really isn’t a diet [moteur] or engine mapping or whatever. We’ve always looked for maximum performance and try to get good reliability from there. »
While the engine freeze came into effect on March 1, as always there are a few exceptions to the rules, primarily to allow engine manufacturers to address design issues that will affect the safety or reliability of power units. In the event that an engine manufacturer must make modifications to its engine for one or other of the reasons mentioned (safety or reliability), a strict procedure must be followed. An engine manufacturer wishing to make modifications must submit a written request to the FIA technical department, while setting out the precise reasons for the request. In addition to a detailed explanation, the manufacturer should include evidence describing research into the issue and how it has proven the change will fix it.
The explanation submitted and the proposed solution will then be circulated by the FIA to all engine manufacturers, in order to better understand whether the request of the manufacturer in question is justified and fair. If the FIA is satisfied with what the other manufacturers are saying about the solution, permission can be granted to make the change. Very minor modifications will also be permitted, provided the FIA technical department is notified. These changes primarily relate to wiring, turbocharger positioning, wastegate and piping positioning, and valve positioning.
