Teams seek to equal engine performance

Sebastian Vettel caused a major surprise when he became F1's youngest ever winner at Monza, with a performance that highlighted the differences between his Ferrari-powered STR3 and the Renault-powered car of sister team Red Bull Racing.

The result has provided further evidence to those who believe that there is now a genuine performance gap between different engines on the grid. A number of manufacturers - especially Renault - have already spoken out in claiming that they have lost out by not developing their power-unit under F1's current engine freeze.

Although making improvements to the engines is not allowed, manufacturers can change parts as the FIA's discretion if it reduces costs or improves reliability. Such revisions can also have the added benefit of lifting performance. Further steps forward can be made from improved fuel and lubricants, and the airbox and exhaust design.

Sources have told autosport.com that a number of teams are so unhappy with the situation - which could leave them down on power until 2013 if the rules do not change - that they are now lobbying the FIA behind the scenes to try and level the playing field for next year.

"We just want to make things more equal between all the engines on the grid - as they were when the freeze first came in," said one source. "A number of teams share our feelings, and discussions are taking place with the FIA about resolving the situation."

It is understood that Fernando Alonso's decision about whether or not to stay at Renault next year will be influenced by if the French car manufacturer can address the engine situation to improve their performance.

Renault boss Flavio Briatore told Spanish newspaper AS at the weekend that the improvements made by Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and BMW was being discussed by teams.

"We have discussed with the other teams to find a solution," he said. "The mechanical side was frozen and three teams took advantage of their reliability problems to move forward. I have met with Max Mosley a few times and by the end of the season all this might be solved."

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner said he was fully behind moves to equalize the engines - claiming that it was inconceivable for the situation to continue unchanged with some manufacturers enjoying what could be as much as a 30bhp advantage.

"Renault give us a very good service," Horner told autosport.com. "Last year we had a competitive engine and this year others appear to be ahead of us from our analysis. And obviously there is no bigger example than between the two Red Bull teams, so for us it is very important that Renault address it in the appropriate way.

"I know that they understand where the issues are. The problem is they took the ruling of the freeze absolutely literally, and others took advantage more than they did. And Renault have paid the penalty for that.

"The problem is, being stuck with that for five years is an untenable position for Renault or any other team that has that kind of disadvantage."

Horner said that idea of an equality was not to free up development, as that would simply drive up costs, but just in ensuring that differences in engines were minimized.

"The FIA has all the information," he said. "At the end of the day we need to keep costs down. We don't need an engine formula to completely open up, but there should be a parity as much as possible among the engine suppliers - otherwise we will all end up with one engine at the end of the day."

Horner felt the Monza result said more about the engine performance of the two Red Bull teams than their overall capabilities of the respective outfits.

When asked if he felt Toro Rosso's win increased the pressure on Red Bull Racing to lift their game, Horner said: " It is a Red Bull win. We can see that Sebastian is a complete star of the future.

"As teams we share information openly and have done for two and a half years now and the only difference in the package is the drivers and the engine."