Changes to the regulation: impacts on driving, overtaking and reliability are evaluated

Alan Permane, Team Principal of Racing Bulls, revealed that changes to the rules for using the power unit could debut in several phases. The intention to spread the changes over time comes from the desire to verify every possible implication, in particular with regards to performance and overtaking difficulties. Furthermore, the manager of the Faenza team anticipated that the engine engineers will want to ensure that the corrective measures do not compromise the reliability of their power units, if they are forced to work in conditions different from those of the project. Possible contraindications One of the priorities of the regulatory changes will be to re-emphasize qualification, but doing so could cause unwanted effects. Permane explains: “We can make the drivers go flat all the time, but with the energy available on some tracks this would make the cars slower and we don’t want to overdo it. We certainly don’t want to make corners that are now challenging and at the limit too easy.” The Racing Bulls Team Principal cites the example of turn 12 in Bahrain: “It has always been a corner where you had to choose whether to go flat out or save the tires a bit for turns 13 and 14, being very harsh on the tires without being too profitable on the clock. In the tests, however, what everyone did was simply sail, lifting their foot a lot to recharge the battery for the next long straight.” Giving riders the opportunity to push without too many back thoughts on energy management, therefore, will not have to compromise too much the performance and driving difficulties in some points. “I know people don’t like lift and coast and charging the straight,” continues the Racing Bulls Team Principal. “One way to eliminate it would be to give less energy, which would slow down the cars. I don’t think they want to make the corners less demanding, so we have to pay attention and I know they are doing that. There will be some changes for Miami, I’m sure, while I’m less sure that they will all be implemented by then, because the sprint weekend format pushes caution.” Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images The risks for entertainment and reliability The other issue is that of safety, raised for some time by the pilots and taken seriously only after the accident between Bearman and Colapinto at Suzuka. The aim will be to reduce the speed differences on the straight between the duelists, but the changes could complicate overtaking manoeuvres. The Racing Bulls Team Principal continues: “We have to be careful not to damage the show too much. One way to reduce the approach speeds is obviously to remove things like the Boost button or reduce the extra energy available to those who are chasing and are one second behind the car in front. This would certainly reduce the speed differences, but it would probably also reduce overtaking. We have to be careful and find the right balance.” Finally, there are those who have observed that changing the delivery rules could undermine reliability, for example forcing the engines to work longer at high speeds. “We will also need to consider the work cycles of the power units,” explains Permane. “[Le modifiche] could they cause reliability problems, making the power units work in ways for which they were not designed? Engine builders will definitely want to do some bench testing when the next version of the power management rules is finalized,” concludes Permane.