Unless interventions are made for reasons related to reliability, the most of the power unit components have been frozen at the start of the 2022 Formula 1 season and can no longer be developed. 1 March was the homologation date, but in is not quite the end date for development. While almost the entirety of the power unit have been frozen from that date, development of three hybrid ancillaries will be permitted for a further six months.
By 1 September, the engine manufacturers must submit their final designs for the Energy Store (ES), Control Electronics (CE) and the MGU-K. However, there is only one change of specification for these permitted between this stage of the season and September – this means the components cannot be continuously upgraded during the year before the final sign-off.
From 1 September, all performance-focused development is stopped for the next three years.
The FIA in agreement with the teams has decided to freeze the update of the engines in order to control costs and to allow manufacturers to begin the path that will lead to the debut of new engines in 2026, without MGU-H, with an increased electrical component in terms of batteries and bio fuels with a much larger percentage than the current 10% which characterizes the E10 fuel introduced in 2022.
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In terms of engine performance, convergence seems to be almost achieved. In fact, today’s edition of the Spanish sports newspaper AS reports Renault-Alpine’s belief that it has achieved the performance of the Mercedes power unit. According to the French team, the gap between the Ferrari-Honda duo can be quantified at around 10 horsepower. The A522 features a completely revised power unit compared to 2021 with the split turbo. Such a radical change in philosophy is however leading to some issues in terms of reliability – Fernando Alonso has already fitted three power units and one is irrecoverable after the damage to the water pump in Jeddah – but performance has been notable as the speed trap in Melbourne qualifying proved. Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez with 322 km / h were the fastest, but they were also using a rear configuration with less downforce as compared to Scuderia Ferrari that ‘stopped’ at 311 km / h but still managed to dominate the race thanks to better tire management.
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