Ferrari: Engine standardisation goes against 'DNA' of F1

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto is strongly against the idea of standardising engines in Formula 1, believing it goes againt the competitive “DNA” of the sport.

As part of Liberty Media’s plans to close the performance gap between the midfield teams and the top teams, they are set to introduce new regulations ahead of the 2021 campaign. As well as a budget cap, a standardisation of engines is also reportedly a major aspect of the changes, but Binotto thinks this would be a mistake.

“I am not happy yet,” the Italian said.

“I am not happy as Ferrari yet. I think since the very beginning we always said that we are against the standardisation, and I feel we are going too much in the direction of standardisation.

“Why are we against [it]? Because we believe that, first, the DNA of this sport is competition, and standardising somehow is against the spirit.

“Second, because, whatever you're doing standard doesn't mean that you are saving money, because you need to re-engineer your car, your components, towards the new component, and that has an impact as well on the economical [side]. So I'm not sure that the balance is positive.”

Binotto is, however, in favour of the budget cap set to be introduced, with a figure of $175m per team per season the projected amount for spending at the moment.

“Sustainability is a key factor, and I think the budget cap we are all in favour,” he added.

“We have all subscribed already, and I think the financial regulation is a key point of the future as well, because it's stopping expenses, it's closing the gap between the small and the big teams - even if maybe the budget which has been agreed is very high for small teams, but at least you reduce the gap.

“And I think that, again, it's back on the standardisation. I don't think we need standard parts to save money, because we will anyway spend whatever is the cap. At least the top teams will spend whatever is the cap, so on the standard parts will not be affecting that respect.

“So, while I understand the reason of them, I think we need to be careful in evaluating the risk versus benefit, and not forgetting also the final objective.”

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