The teams want to discuss the engine freeze

Formula 1 teams are preparing to discuss the possibility of re-balancing the engines in order to achieve an even more closely grouped field, with F1 currently under the engine freeze regime.

However, last year, the FIA, with the agreement of the other teams, allowed Renault to modify its engine during the off-season to bring it up to par. Disparities in performance emerged as the season progressed and engineers discovered loopholes in the regulations to exploit. Renault claimed to have followed the regulations to the letter and never made modifications to its engines.

This year, the teams are preparing to discuss another potential “unfreeze” as the Mercedes engine has considerably dominated the power-demanding circuits. The German supplier equips six of the twenty cars on the grid and could well sell its engines to four teams in 2010.

“I think, for sure, that it is something we need to discuss with the engine working group because, with all due respect, we have to understand,” said Ferrari team director, Stefano Domenicali.

«We saw a great performance from the Mercedes-Benz engine, but before giving a definitive opinion on this subject, we need to thoroughly understand and examine the data, the power curve, and everything related to it. This is a point that is on the table for discussions among the teams.»

Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner shares the same opinion: “I think it’s something that, perhaps, we need to look at carefully. The FIA has all the information. They can see where the differences are. I don’t think it’s a coincidence to see three teams powered by Mercedes dominating six of the top seven spots in qualifying [at Monza] and appearing dominant during the race. The FIA has all the available information in hand, but it’s always a danger to freeze [engine development] because you might freeze it with a competitive advantage.”

Once again, the verdict of the World Council next Monday on the Renault / Piquet Jr. case will move things forward.