Formula 1’s 2021 engine regulations were developed to bring new manufacturers to the sport, but despite that, the FIA isn’t expecting any newcomers.
The engine revamp was something manufacturers such as Porsche, Cosworth and Aston Martin were all keeping an eye out for. However, according to FIA president Jean Todt, no new engine manufacturers will enter the series.
In an interview with Autosport, Todt mentioned how one party (understood to be Porsche) was very serious about entering Formula 1, yet had recently suggested that it wouldn’t be able to do so.
“There was some demonstration of interest from one, who said to us we are not in a situation to commit for 2021, but what is very important for us is to know exactly what will be the regulations, because there could be a strong interest in the future,” stated Todt.
Right now, his priority is to ensure that the current engine suppliers Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Honda are all happy to continue and commit long-term to Formula 1.
“My priority is to make sure that we keep them four,” he said. “I always said it would be very unfair to the four engaged to say, ‘OK, we want to attract a new one so let’s change everything.’ But what about them? What about all the investment they have been doing for years and we say, we change completely the regulations because we may have one or two coming?”
“This is one of the reasons why it was not a revolution on the engine regulations.”
The FIA boss went on to say that he was never confident about F1 being able to attract more than four manufacturers as long as its engine rules were so different compared to other championships.
“I was always pessimistic to the fact that, with specific rules for F1, we could have more than four manufacturers. I feel personally it is really a great achievement to have four different powertrains for 10 teams – because it means 2.5 each.”
“So I was very skeptical. That is why I also asked to consider to have some common regulations in other championships because it would encourage other manufacturers, if you were able to have seven to 10 customers, to be able to buy the powertrain. But that has not happened.”
