Previously, F1 regulations stipulated that teams and drivers were limited to using three engines throughout the season, a rule that resulted in numerous grid penalties as the season reached its peak length.
However, due to an expanded race calendar, teams will now benefit from an increased engine allocation, rising from three to four.
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Ferrari responds to increased engine quota for 2024 F1 Season
During a meeting at the Formula 1 headquarters in London this month, the F1 Commission deliberated on various sport-related issues. The topic of power unit regulations was almost overlooked until a pivotal moment.
Ferrari’s power unit leader, Enrico Gualtieri, characterised the decision to amend the engine allowance for the 2024 and 2025 seasons as a “last minute” change.
“Until the final moments, the allowance was set at three,” Gualtieri shared with journalists, including those from Formula One History.
“There was this kind of proposal at the last F1 Commission and finally I think that there was a broad agreement in getting four [engines].”
However, Gualtieri noted that the increased engine allocation would not significantly impact Ferrari’s strategy.
“In case of four and in case of three, our approach wouldn’t really have changed a lot.
“It would have been always a challenge to keep the maximum level of performance, this was what we were preparing for with the three and this is still what we are preparing for with the four.
“So I don’t think that it would really change a lot our approach. For sure it would have changed, I will say, the effort and the challenge that each unit would face because for sure it’s a matter of mileage and it’s a matter of one unit more.
“But the overall approach for us would have been exactly the same to keep the project running, get the product running at its maximum performance level in every kind of condition. We wouldn’t have changed that.”
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