An important meeting for the future of engines in Formula 1 was held at the Red Bull Ring on 3 July. The discussion was attended by Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault, Audi, Porsche, FIA and Formula 1 representatives. One hypothesis that emerged was maintaining the 1600 cc V6 engine, accompanied by an upgrade of the MGU-K and the elimination of the MGU-H. At the specific request of Audi and Porsche, thanks to their experience in Formula E and in the WEC, the introduction of four-wheel drive was proposed, through the transmission of electricity to the front axle.
Ferrari was open to discussing, and precisely with regard to all-wheel drive Mattia Binotto (present at the meeting together with President John Elkann) explained: “It is a solution to be evaluated, but always taking into account the priorities, which are the environmental sustainability of Formula 1 that goes towards bio-fuels, and the economic aspect” – the Ferrari boss explained, in a recent interview for Italian daily newspaper Corriere dello Sport:” A compromise will have to be made with two antithetical aspects such as innovation and costs”.
The Maranello team principal assured that Ferrari had an important role in the discussions: “Ferrari’s positions at the table have been heard. Looking to the future of power units, we need to be visionaries, always taking into account that, if the world moves towards the electric concepts, the reference for Ferrari remains the hybrid”. And even here, the compromise will be fundamental between the manufacturers: “The trend is to increase the electrified part and we must evaluate it, without prejudice to the need to contain costs”, explained Mattia Binotto, as reported by the Roman newspaper.
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