Ferrari: Is the Turbo Hybrid V6 Engine Too Heavy?

After a rather mixed weekend, where the Ferraris seemed to be behind the Mercedes-powered cars (Fernando Alonso 4th and Kimi Räikkönen 7th), the German publication Auto Motor und Sport reports that one of the explanations for the performance deficit is simply a weight issue, particularly with the hybrid engine block.

Thus, Michael Schmidt, journalist for AMuS, explains that the F14-T would be much heavier than the minimum weight—set this season at 691 kg (article 4.1 of the 2014 Technical Regulations)—due to a hybrid block that is 13 kg heavier than the minimum weight of 145 kg set for the power unit (article 5.4.1). He also reports that the customer teams – Sauber and Marussia – are struggling with the same issue, which explains their lower performance.

A situation that reportedly took Ferrari by surprise, as they discovered this excess weight during the assembly of the hybrid V6 Turbo block. A paradoxical and surprising situation, especially considering that the Maranello team had been one of the fiercest opponents of raising the minimum weight to 700 kg for the 2014 season (in 2015, however, the weight will indeed be set at 701 kg).

If the information is confirmed, the slimming down of the Italian hybrid block could prove difficult to implement, as the modifications that can be made to the engine – since the freeze on February 28th – are limited to issues of cost, reliability, and safety. Despite this, according to Mr. Schmidt, Ferrari has reportedly made a request to the FIA with the aim of improving the use of new parts; an indirect way of working on reducing their weight.

Remains to be seen if, as with the requests already made by the other two engine manufacturers since the freeze, the FIA will accept. « In the end, it’s up to us to decide, » had declared Charlie Whiting, FIA delegate and race director.