Ferrari wants F1 engine freeze lifted to close up competitive order
The Ferrari Formula 1 team wants rules that prevent engine manufacturers tweaking their designs during the season relaxed in order to help close up the competitive order
Ferrari and Renault have built engines down on power compared to the leading Mercedes unit under F1's new turbocharged V6 hybrid regulations introduced for this year.
The rules permit alterations to engine mapping and software, but forbid manufacturers from changing mechanical parts on their units unless they make a special request to make alterations for reasons of reliability, safety or cost.
Team principal Marco Mattiacci told reporters after the recent Belgian Grand Prix, where Kimi Raikkonen finished fourth but complained of a lack of straightline speed, that F1 should be less restrictive in its engine regulations.
When asked whether he would like to see the engine restrictions lifted, Mattiacci said: "Yes, in a certain way not as rigid as it is today.
"I would like to see a couple of opportunities [allowed] a year to work on the engine.
"The DNA of Formula 1 is innovating and catching up with the best and fastest one.
"That's what we keep, as Ferrari, insisting, and one of the areas [where this can be done] is engine freezing."
Ferrari has recently restructured its engine department and ditched former engine chief Luca Marmorini after a disappointing first half of the 2014 season.
2014 ENGINE STATS
Wins Poles Fastest laps Podiums Led laps
Mercedes 9 Mercedes 12 Mercedes 10 Mercedes 26 Mercedes 639
Renault 3 Renault 0 Renault 1 Renault 8 Renault 71
Ferrari 0 Ferrari 0 Ferrari 1 Ferrari 2 Ferrari 32
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