Sidepodcast

Further Engine Clarifications

This article was originally written for BellaOnline, but is republished here for posterity.

With all the talk of new wings and KERS devices, it's easy to forget that there are other regulations changing as well. Even if you do remember, it's sometimes difficult to get your head around what's going to be different.

The FIA have already had to clarify the engine regulations as they stand once. Charlie Whiting was interviewed to provide a further insight into how and when engines can be used. As we understand it, the teams are allowed eight engines per driver per season. They can be used whenever the team decide, and they can be swapped out just as casually. However, if a driver gets through all eight, and has to move on to his ninth engine, then the penalties start to occur.

Now it seems like the rules will be tweaked slightly, so that a race weekend is slightly more structured. Instead of a driver being able to change his engine at any point on any day, the likelihood is the regulations will be refined so that one Saturday practice is underway, it cannot be swapped for another one.

It had been hinted that changes would only have been allowed after qualifying if there was a serious problem with the original engine, that would prevent the team from competing. Now it looks like that will come into effect for both Saturday and Sunday, once FP3 gets going.

Apparently the teams have asked for this clarification in the rules, as they worried that allowing engine changes before qualifying would require new staff to be brought on board - something that goes directly against the strict cost-cutting regime that is being put in place. Pat Symonds from Renault said a team could cope with changing one engine in an emergency, but to make it a routine to swap both engines out before heading out for flying laps would require more mechanics.

Symonds also went on to say that although suggesting teams should only change if they have a problem was a start, it wouldn't remain that open and honest for too long.

Giving an example, he said:

"If everything was left completely open, it would soon degenerate. You put in your engine on Saturday. Let's say you spin in qualifying and have to start at the back, you might say I really ought now to use that old dog of an engine, because this isn't a good weekend anyway."

He also brought up the subject of a similar problem when it rains. At least the FIA are happy to regulate according to problems the teams have brought up. It shows good faith on both sides, that they want the racing to be fair and opportunities equal.

Daily: 10th December 2008

It's been a relatively quiet day both on the blog and for Formula 1. I think we're all recovering from the shock of last weekend, me included. I stepped out of my front door again, big mistake, and have picked up yet more germs. Can't even blame Silverstone or Cardboard tents this time. Oh well. Here's some of the things we have been discussing:

• Day 1 of the Jerez test - Toro Rosso lead the way, Buemi better than Bourdais again? Raikkonen was back in action, whilst McLaren had test drivers aplenty. No Red Bull or Toyota, though.
• Autosport is reporting that the standard engine will be going ahead as no less than five teams have registered their interest. That's half of the current grid, or more than half if you discount Honda. Interestingly, the article says Renault are amongst those signing up for the deal. No more Renault engines?
• We're also trying to decide which iPod Scott should buy. I'm personally a big fan of the Nano, although I sometimes run out of space, especially if I'm behind on my podcasts.
• Don't forget we're on C in the I Spy game, and I think 73 is the next to be completed on the Numbers game. If we could get to 100, that would be cool.

I'm hoping the second day of testing might be more interesting than the first, as it was hampered by bad weather conditions, and no surprise cars looking awful. Either way, feel free to add your thoughts on the above, or any other things that come to mind. I'll see you in the comments.

Episode 86 - Force Honda A Team

• Length: 37:35 
• Size: 34.8 MB 
• File: episode86.mp3 
• Enhanced: episode86.m4a 
• Transcript: Coming soon 
• Torrent: episode86.torrent 

A quick dash through all the questions that Honda's exit from the sport has raised, including why, where the drivers will go, what implications it has on the other teams, and what's changed about the standard engines.

Intro

It's an emergency show, despite our assurances that we'd be taking a week off.

Bad Week / Bad Week

It's been one of those weeks - Credit Suisse, Hockenheim, Pantano and fans of big launches (yes, them again) are all suffering.

News and Views

No prizes for guessing the main topic of conversation this week, it's all about Honda. Why did they leave? Who had the scoop first? What does it all mean? We try and look into these questions, as well as looking at what the various members of the team could do next, and who might also be about ready for the chop. Plus, of course, Max saw it all happening and had just the right letter for the job.

Housekeeping

We visited Paris this weekend, and actually saw more than we bargained for due to our inability to print out an actual map. Nevertheless, we got to see the FIA Headquarters in all it's glory. Also, don't forget to send in your audio season reviews via Skype (0121 28 87225) or email (christine at sidepodcast.com).

Linkage

• What's Behind the Blue Door?
• Flickr: Place de la Concorde set
• Sidepodcast's Drop
• Sidepodcast Wiki

FIA Partner with Cosworth for 2010

This article was originally written for BellaOnline, but is republished here for posterity.

With Honda's sudden announcement that they are leaving Formula 1 with immediate effect, FIA president Max Mosley has taken the opportunity to announce some more details regarding the proposed standard engines scheme.

We already knew that the FIA had opened the tender for engine manufacturer's to bid their services to create the standard design, and it has now been revealed that Cosworth won the tender. The FIA will work exclusively with Cosworth on the engines that are to be brought in for the 2010 season.

We also know more about how the regulations will work. Initially there was concern that given the choice of creating an engine from standard blueprints or simply buying one from the supplier, most teams would opt not to do so. I couldn't see a reason why Ferrari would want to use a Cosworth engine, for example. However, Mosley has clarified parts of this for us.

Now, it seems that those two choices still exist - build an engine that meets the designs, or buy one - but there is a third option. Teams can continue to build their own engine, presumably meeting some quite strict limitations. I can honestly say I haven't got this new regulation clear in my head completely yet, but it seems as though relaxing the rules slightly is the right thing to.

Mosley has timed the announcement perfectly, using Honda's withdrawal as a great example that Formula 1 needs to really start cutting costs as soon as possible. This new tweak to the regulation means that budgets will be smaller, and independent teams will be able to afford to race, but it also means the manufacturer's are not alienated. A lot of F1 purists don't approve of the way the manufacturer's have taken over the sport, but they have been holding it together recently, and now it may be that we see the independent teams on the way back up.

The one thing this new rule doesn't account for, is teams that already have engine partners. Williams and Toyota, for instance, will presumably no longer do business with each other, as they will be buying a Cosworth engine instead. There are still many questions to be asked before the 2010 season, but at least there's plenty of time for more clarification.

Live: Unplanned and Unprepared

Even when I finally relent and tell the man that he can have a holiday, the F1 gods say no. All manner of news descended on the motorsport world this weekend, and all of it was intensely important. Therefore we are scratching around for a spare couple of hours to put out an emergency show covering all the implications of Honda's exit from the sport.

Would it surprise you if I said we were running late? The calendar says we are due on air at 8pm GMT, but we're not ready yet. If you're around, please say hi in the comments, but if not, we'll be a little while yet. I'll try and update you as we go. Also, apologies to everyone who can't make this live stream, we are having to shoehorn it in where we can.