Head alleges 'manipulation' over engines
Williams technical director Patrick Head has suggested that there are deeper motives than cost-cutting behind the proposals to limit engine useage over a Grand Prix weekend. The suggestions to limit engines have the support of Ferrari and are due to be discussed in Paris on March 19.
Speaking at the opening round of the world championship in Melbourne, however, Head said: "It's politics. As it is at the moment, Michelin tyres are very good, but they need scrubbing for 10 laps, sometimes 15. If you have a two-stop race that means we have to do 45 laps to prepare our tyres for the race.
"Now, if you are Ferrari, with tyres that don't need scrubbing and with Michael Schumacher, who only needs one lap to get a time out of the car, your best way of doing damage to your two serious competitors is to propose one engine for a weekend."
This season, McLaren-Mercedes have joined Williams-BMW in using Michelin tyres and Ferrari are alone among the top three in running Bridgestones, which don't need scrubbing.
"It's all politics," said Head. "We are being manipulated. That's what's going on."
Share Or Save This Story
BTCC Donington Park: Sutton storms to final victory of opening weekend
WEC Imola: Toyota denies Ferrari home win in season opener
Huff wins Goodwood Members’ Meeting Super Touring Shoot-Out
Nurburgring 24h Qualifiers: Scherer-Audi wins as issue wrecks Verstappen's chances
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments