The latest attempt by Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner to block the planned reduction in the number of engines permitted before penalty in 2018 has again been blighted after failing to get unanimous support, according to Autosport.
Horner has been a major critic of the current engines in Formula 1 and the penalties that have come with the limit on parts allowed over the season mostly as his team has had at least one driver have to come from the back of the grid in five races so far this year including the last three.
That occurred with a limit of four engines for this year which next year will become only three with some elements restricted to only two and given the frustration of fans and teams alike, the Briton hoped to use that to get the changes stopped.
It appears, however, that Ferrari has been the spoiler to his most recent bid with the Italian team citing their development of the engine for 2018 designed around meeting the new restrictions, with agreement from the entire grid needed to consider such changes this close to the start of the following year.
Though Red Bull supplier Renault has given guarantees the bad reliability from this year is being addressed, there is concern that with the new limits teams may have to reduce track running in Practice and more races could be impacted with a greater number of drivers having to move down the grid as the season progresses.
F1’s Managing Director of Motorsport Ross Brawn claimed the proposed changes to the engines for 2021 would significantly reduce penalties and maybe even the need for a limit in the first place, but, for now, it appears nothing will force bosses to change tack on what is increasingly becoming an endurance-style championship
