Formula One news

FIA legalises equalisation of engines

F1 governing body the FIA has announced that engine manufacturers may now ensure that engines are of equal power by making use a new rule for equalisation. As all engines have been frozen in development since the start of 2007, more powerful units may now be downgraded in order to match the horsepower of rivals' products.

With the engine freeze of two years ago having been introduced in a bid to cut costs, teams have suggested this year that companies such as Mercedes have moved ahead on engine power and, furthermore, that the freeze prevents others from being able to catch up.

Renault was granted special dispensation to increase its power last year although the FIA has now stated that figures may be matched but only by bringing down the power levels of the more powerful units as opposed to increasing the less powerful ones.

The FIA states: 'Following suggestions that there is a differential between the performance of engines used in Formula One, the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) has decided that should this be the case, and should the teams wish to eliminate this performance differential, they may be allowed to do so by reducing the performance of the more powerful engines. However, no engine upgrades will be allowed.'

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