racingnews365.com·
FIA explain ‘cost cap discount’ to avoid F1 teams being ‘condemned to eternal misery’
FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis has explained the
rationale behind the "catch-up opportunities" afforded to the power
unit manufacturers this season to ensure they do not swiftly exit
the sport. The new PU regulations for this season, with a 50-50
split between combustion and electric, have resulted in a dramatic
change in the manufacturer landscape as GM is the force behind
Cadillac's entry, Ford is partnering with Red Bull, and Honda has
returned after a five-year absence. As with any shake-up, there is
likely to be a spread in the field dependent on the manufacturer
involved. To assist in levelling the playing field over time, the
FIA introduced the ADUO [Additional Development and Upgrade
Opportunities] programme late last year. It allows for various
mechanisms to be applied should one or more manufacturers find
themselves trailing behind its rivals, with the FIA to review the
situation after six, 12, and 18 races of the record-equalling
24-grand prix calendar. Tombazis is confident such a plan will not
lead to walk-outs. Explaining the application of ADUO, speaking
exclusively to RacingNews365 , Tombazis said: "We measure the
performance of the power units through various means, in a very
robust way, averaging three batches of six races each. "The program
is called ADUO, and on that basis, people who are more than two per
cent below on internal combustion power, or four per cent or six
per cent, gradually receive more of those benefits. "Those benefits
translate to more available dyno hours, more homologation
opportunities, and an incrementally higher cost cap. "We believe
that, in a cost cap reality, it is necessary because, otherwise, if
you start behind, you will be condemned to an internal misery. "We
also have a plan to give a cost cap discount, let's put it that
way, if you have serious reliability issues, because these power
units are very expensive tools. "You can imagine, if you start
popping engines, left, right and centre, that within half a season
you've exhausted your cost cap, you suddenly have no more money
left, and you're in deep trouble, and then you're left with no
option but to leave the sport. "Clearly, we don't want to ever have
a situation where these power unit manufacturers feel compelled to
leave the sport because they don't have any hope of ever being
competitive. That would totally negate the whole purpose of them
entering the sport." FIA dismiss BoP Tombazis feels the measures in
place are more appropriate for F1, rather than trying to apply any
kind of 'balance of performance', which would likely be viewed as
artificial and unfair. Tombasiz is expecting a degree of catch-up,
certainly from the new PU manufacturers, but with ADUO in place,
they are being afforded every opportunity for parity. "I do stress
that with all of what I've said, I would very, very strongly defend
against the words 'balance of performance' or anything like that,"
he said. "Ultimately, it has to be remembered that the cars
competing on the track are all operating under the same technical
regulations. "There are no artificial ways to give more performance
to one or the other. They all have the same regulations. It's just
that some, if they're starting behind, have some catch-up
opportunities. "Let me also say that, in Formula 1, with both
chassis and engine, there's a huge amount of know-how, accumulated
experience, accumulated knowledge, infrastructures, everything that
makes it extremely difficult for a newcomer to be quickly
competitive. "You're really starting behind, and it's been one of
the objectives to enable newcomers in both teams and power units."
