Former team principal of the Scuderia Ferrari team and current President & Chief Executive Officer at Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali, has urged Ferrari and Renault to agree to an engine development ‘freeze’ from 2022.
Red Bull has said the freeze, requiring a majority vote of the team contingent, is the only way it can take over departing Honda’s works engine operations.
“I hope everyone realises that it is the right choice not only for Red Bull but for the whole of Formula 1,” – F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali told Italian media on Thursday when asked about the freeze talks and forthcoming vote.
A spokesperson for a rival team sneered at the timeline, admitting: “We’re not going to make it easy for them; why should we? Plus, there are too many unanswered issues before can take a decision.”
The Red Bulls (and Honda) – with a vote each – would need to find another four votes in favour for the freeze to fly. How their competitors vote will depend upon the fine print and, as always, the devil lurks in the detail. A draft proposal has it that engine suppliers would be free to develop their power units as they see fit until close of scrutineering for the opening 2022 round, and thereafter specifications would be frozen.
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