F1 teams agree MGU-K allocation-limit increase with 2020's 22 races

Some teams and power unit manufacturers that have been picking up power unit-related grid penalties with the current level of 21 races had been pushing for an increase in allocation of elements.

Those outfits that were more confident in their reliability were resisting any change. But in the end it has been agreed that allowing the use of a third MGU-K - on a par with the V6, turbo and MGU-H components - was the best compromise for the extended season.

The energy store and control electronics allocation will remain at two per season. Speaking about the agreement, Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul told Autosport that the move "makes sense".

"It was planned for 2021, so we are applying the principle that was agreed for '21 to '20, even though it wasn't in the regulations for '20, he continued.

"Despite common sense [not] always applying in F1, and indeed it was a bit of a struggle, we reached that compromise in Budapest.

"I understand it was a bit difficult to get people to stick to their word [in the summer break vote], but eventually this is what happened."

The MGU-K is regarded as the most vulnerable of the three elements currently limited to two per season.

Abiteboul explained that an additional consideration behind the new agreement is that changing the other components independently of the MGU-K can create a lot of extra work. It is understood that replacing a whole unit in one hit is much easier.

Even Mercedes, which has no reliability concerns over a 22nd race being added to the calendar, has acknowledged the increase in MGU-K allownace as a positive step.

"It's good in particular for the mechanics in the garage," said Abiteboul.

"At the moment there is a discrepancy between the number of internal combustion engines and the number of MGU-Ks [per season] - three and two.

"And that can create chaos for the mechanics. The MGU-K is mounted on the ICE, so it makes an awful lot of sense to get the same allocation for both.

"Some people in F1 don't care about that, but we do. It was important for us to get exactly the same number, and especially with the season getting longer and more flyaway races, and more back-to-backs."

But Abiteboul added that Renault would also have preferred teams to have agreed to an additional increase in the energy store and control electronics allocation.

"We would have liked it, but I have to accept that it's a separate component, so the logistics and operational reasoning do not apply to that one," he explained.

"So it was less important to us."

We want to hear from you!

Let us know what you would like to see from us in the future.

Take our survey

- The Autosport.com Team

Read and post comments