LOOKING AHEAD TO 2016
Ferrari’s MGU-K was kept at the back of the ICE, a different position compared to the Mercedes, Renault, and Honda installations. All other engine manufacturers have their motor-generator units placed on the left-hand side of the V6 and towards the front. It seems that Maranello actually intends to do the same in 2016 in order to further declutter the rear of its next car (without compromising engine performance like it did last year).
After introducing upgrades in Canada and Italy, Ferrari was supposed to spend its final four tokens ahead of Austin in order to enhance its V6 and prepare 2016. Yet, while the latest specification does improve overall engine reliability (which does not cost any token), it was not the prototype version people had expected to see. When asked about what Ferrari had in the pipeline for next season, Sassi had remained quite vague.
“As for our development tokens, we still have four left and plenty of ideas on how to spend them, both on increasing power for this season and also looking ahead to 2016,” said the chief power unit designer.
It must be noted that time is less critical this year, with engine manufacturers all agreeing to have the power unit development restrictions relaxed for 2016 (the decision still needs to be ratified during the next World Motor Sport Council meeting in December). In-season development will be allowed once again, while the number of allocated tokens will stay at 32 when it was supposed to decrease to 25. Furthermore, the components that were supposed to become totally frozen (as per Appendix 4 of the technical regulations) will finally be open to modifications. These include the upper/lower crankcase, the valve drive, the covers, part of the crankshaft, the air valve system, and ancillaries drive.
After poaching top personnel from rivals – like former Mercedes man and combustion specialist Cédric Cornebois – Maranello engineers look to use this greater leeway to make the Prancing Horse gallop again.
“The engine is still at the beginning of its development and we are still having new ideas each week, there is still much more to come,” Fraboni concluded. But will it be enough to eclipse the Silver Arrows?
Click here to see the first chapter in our series of exclusive power unit pictures - Renault
Click here to see the second chapter in our series of exclusive power unit pictures - Honda
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