F1 engine penalties an "anti-embarrassment regulation" after Honda return struggles - Wolff
F1 engine penalties an "anti-embarrassment regulation" after Honda return struggles - Wolff
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has suggested the way grid penalties are skewed for repeat engine changes is an "anti-embarrassment regulation" based on Honda's struggles upon returning to F1.
Honda struggled for reliability when rejoining the sport with McLaren in 2015 and regularly racked up grid penalties north of 40 places when each component carried a set punishment for being swapped.
Valtteri Bottas took on his third ICE in four races at the United States Grand Prix but was only handed a five-place grid penalty as it was a repeat offence.
In contrast, Lewis Hamilton was handed a ten-place grid penalty in Turkey for the same change, albeit his first new ICE outside of the agreed allocation provided under the sporting regulations.
This has caused questioning as to why the penalty decreases the more teams infringe, but Wolff said: "I think that's probably like old Honda where you are in a situation and it's going terribly wrong and you need to change engine parts or complete power units then you shouldn't be penalised every single race to go to the back of the grid or lose 10 places.
"So it's almost an anti-embarrassment regulation and I think that's okay.
"Obviously we need to look at that, how we do it in the future but it's biting us hard this year."
Loss of constructors' points won't work - Wolff
One of the debates in the paddock since the introduction of turbo-hybrid power units in 2014 and the vast amount of grid penalties that have ensued is whether to penalise teams with the loss of points in the constructors' standings over penalising the driver.
Explaining why the system in its current guise is suitable, Wolff added: "I think the penalty system on power units is pretty robust.
"What we need to avoid is we are building power units that, in a way, they perform for only a few races.
"If you changed the regulations in a way and said there was no grid penalty for the drivers but only [the loss of] constructors' points, it would still mean that if you are in a fight for the drivers' championship you would just throw engines at that car.
"If we come up with good solutions then it's definitely worth looking at it because I agree, it is confusing for the new fans because, beyond a driver's responsibility, puts him at the back of the grid or five places away, and that's clearly not great.
"But I haven't got the solutions."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Newey Red Bull EXIT date revealed as F1 star confirmed at new team - GPFans F1 Recap
- 3 hours ago
Verstappen takes F1 swipe at Hamilton and rivals with ruthless remark
- Yesterday 22:57
Marko defends Ricciardo in 'unbelievable' idiot claim
- Yesterday 21:57
Hamilton hints at sensational Newey arrival at Ferrari
- Yesterday 20:57
Suspended Red Bull employee 'grilled' as Horner saga given potential END DATE
- Yesterday 19:57
BLOW for former F1 champion as Mercedes preferences revealed
- Yesterday 18:58
Related news
BLOW for former F1 champion as Mercedes preferences revealed
Mercedes star tipped to replace struggling driver THIS season
Hamilton car camera captures Verstappen's TRUE feelings toward F1 rival
Marko reveals Vettel requirements for stunning F1 comeback
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860