(Scuderia Ferrari SpA via Twitter)
Ferrari team principal Marco Mattiacci has denied that any relaxing of the current engine freeze regulations is 'selfishly motivated' for his team but that it would beneficial to Formula One and not just the Italian team. Mattiacci commented by saying:
'We never worked from the cynical angles and tactical angles to say let's do this softening of the rules so we can catch up with Mercedes. That's totally untrue and probably misleading for my people. The starting point was that in Formula One I cannot wait one year to work on the engine and the power unit. At least at Ferrari we don't believe this is a magic bullet.
If someone believes it, they are not at Ferrari. It's a way to talk about innovating and keep working on the car.'
Ferrari have really struggled this season compared to Mercedes in terms of the power output in their V6 power unit. The team have had one of their worst season's in recent years and find themselves in 4th place in the Constructors championship nine points behind the Williams Martini Racing Team.
However, it not just Ferrari who have struggled this season as Renault have also struggled for pace compared to Mercedes despite powering the Infiniti Red Bull Racing team to victory with Daniel Ricciardo in Canada, Hungary and Belgium. The current technical relations relating to the power unit state that changes can only be made to the power unit on the grounds of reliability, cost-saving and safety.
Relaxing the engine regulations would also benefit Honda who return to Formula One next season as a 'works' partner to McLaren following a six year absence from the sport. If the sports governing body were to relax the restrictions it may also entice other engine manufacturers to come into the sport.
© Ben Johnston 2014
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