According to the company's CEO Tim Routsis, Cosworth decided to align themselves to the current engine rules in order to avoid a conflict with the existing Formula One engine manufacturers. The FIA initially allowed Cosworth to develop their units within a larger rev margin because their engine will be based on the one used in 2006.
However, with all engine suppliers bringing important updates to their power plants in the last few years, imposing the same rev limit to the Cosworth engines would have created a huge gap in performance as compared to the existing outfits. Nevertheless, Routsis revealed his company has find a way to build competitive units within the 18,000 rev limit, which will help the Cosworth-powered teams in more than one way.
“We suggested the 18,000rpm limit to remove potential tension, and a point of possible conflict in agreeing terms. We were confident that the engine in the return form would be utterly competitive providing we started early enough,” said Routsis in an interview with British magazine Autosport.
“I think the teams will not be any less competitive as a result of having a re-tuned engine. If anything, I think there are benefits to be had from reduced rejection of heat to oil, so radiators can get smaller, the drag goes down,” added the Cosworth official.
As argued by Williams' Patrick Head in late June, the higher revs for the new Cosworth engines would have consequently lead to increased fuel consumption and, given the refueling ban imposed by the FIA for 2010, that would have caused several problems for the Cosworth-powered cars. Bigger engines – to allow larger amounts of fuel – would have meant higher rear tire wear and definitely slower lap times. Thanks to the latest adjustments, however, that will no longer be a problem for Cosworth.
“As an engine spins faster it consumed more fuel to overcome frictions, so by lowering the revs were are also going to improve the fuel efficiency,” added Routsis.
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