Mercedes warns against 'double spending' on F1 engine development

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has warned against Formula 1 forcing engine suppliers into "double spending" on development costs of both the current and future power units

Renault Sport boss Cyril Abiteboul has previously called for a freeze on development of the current engine over the next two years so that all four manufacturers can focus on the new designs due to start racing in 2021.

The freeze option is still under discussion, and Wolff is keen to see it implemented.

"The only major thing which we need to solve is that we are still spending a lot on engine development," said Wolff.

"What we need to avoid is double spending over the next years, continuing to develop the current engine, and then also doing the new one."

Wolff remains confident that the 2021 rules are going in the right direction, despite Mercedes being opposed to the loss of the MGU-H.

"We have given up on some of the standpoints," he said. "We have accepted to lose the MGU-H.

"We think that the technology is a step backwards, but in terms of achieving a compromise for the benefit of the spectacle, the 'H' going, the revs going up, the fuel limitations going, I think we will have a louder engine, we will not be limited by fuel.

"It's not the most sustainable message we're sending out, but we can understand from a spectacle standpoint it is something you need to consider and accept. On most of the topics we have found an agreement.

"There's a discussion on dyno limitations, we don't want to continue to outgrow each other with more infrastructure.

"On the engine regulations we're pretty close on being able to tick the box."

Wolff admitted Mercedes was not willing to compromise on everything that has been discussed, drawing the line at an attempt to take fuel consumption out of the equation entirely.

"I had a bit of a moment in the Strategy Group [meeting], one where I need to speak to my anger management psychologist, when we talked about getting rid of fuel flow limitations, all fuel flow allowances, and just open it up," he said.

"We cannot close our eyes to what's happening in the world. Hybrid energy recovery systems have been on road cars, and they need to happen in F1 in my opinion.

"But equally we have to understand what the fan is interested in.

"It needs the technology message, but it needs to be at the level where we recognise that spectacle is important, and shocking your senses with an engine sound is maybe something that we can improve."

shares
comments

Fernando Alonso retains lead in Autosport readers' F1 driver ratings

Red Bull's Ricciardo thinks another win makes him F1 title outsider

How a lawyer-turned-journalist became a crucial player in Alfa's F1 revival

How a lawyer-turned-journalist became a crucial player in Alfa's F1 revival

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Qatar GP
GP Racing

How a lawyer-turned-journalist became a crucial player in Alfa's F1 revival How a lawyer-turned-journalist became a crucial player in Alfa's F1 revival

Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season

Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Qatar GP
Matt Kew

Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season

F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas

F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Qatar GP
Oleg Karpov

F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas

The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team

The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Damien Smith

The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Damien Smith

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Belgian GP
GP Racing

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Jonathan Noble

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

Subscribe