FIA faces challenge: checking engine updates proves difficult

F1 engine development has now been completely frozen for several months. So for the next few years, engine suppliers will not be allowed to make updates that provide better performance, only modifications that boost reliability will be allowed. But how well can the FIA control the distinction between these? Alpine raises the issue.

Work to be done for the FIA

With the new cars in 2022, the FIA has been quite tolerant when teams come up with (reliability) updates. According to Bruno Famin, Renault's head of engines, this also makes sense because all the race teams had relatively big reliability problems. He expects, and hopes, that the FIA's checks will become stricter from this season onwards.

This is because there are engine parts where it is difficult to separate performance from reliability. "The subject is complicated. We cannot say whether behind a reliability problem there is often a potential performance gain. The boundary is not always completely clear," Famin told the Italian branch of Motorsport.com.

The top man explained that when there is a problem with a water pump, it is abundantly clear that it is a reliability issue. After all: a new water pump does not provide a performance gain. "But if you have to change the material of the piston rings, then that can change the issue because you can push your engine more and therefore aim for better performance. So where is the limit? It's not so clear..."