Engine Rules Will Not Change in 2010

Although some technical aspects of Formula One will change dramatically in 2010 – refueling ban, lack of tire warmers or some other thing the FOTA will come up with in the next few weeks – one thing's for sure: the engine rules will remain unchanged. This is the conclusion everybody seems to agree upon these days, as a driver will continue to use a maximum of 8 units per season in 2010.

The measure was implemented by the FIA late last year for the 2009 season, in an effort to reduce costs inside the sport. However, during the past few months, it has emerged that several car makers were seeking a longer-life rule, limiting the number of engines one might use throughout the 2010 season to 5 (also a cost-effective measure).

It's no news that Ferrari – as reported by autoevolution last month – were using engine partners Scuderia Toro Rosso to test their old engines during the Friday practice sessions of each grand prix. That actually explains the STR4s poor lap times during the 1st and 2nd practice sessions week in and week out.

However, British engine manufacturer Cosworth – who will this year power at least 6 cars on the F1 grid – did not agree with the 5 engines move. Their power plants are already designed on the 2006 Cosworth provided to Williams F1 Team and its reliability would not be guaranteed under such harsh long-life engine rules.

“We are making a business of doing eight engines per car for a price of five million. The manufacturers should also be able to do it,” said Cosworth CEO Tim Routsis, as reported by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

In addition, Cosworth have agreed to build F1 engines under the 18,000 rev limit rule, despite Max Mosley's suggestion earlier this year that the UK-built engines should run on unlimited revs at their return in the series.