Renault to push for 2019-2020 engine freeze

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Renault's Cyril Abiteboul wants F1 to halt all engine development for the 2019-2020 interim seasons which will precede the sport's big regulation change in 2021.

Abiteboul is pushing for restrictions to help manufacturers focus fully on F1's new-spec power unit which teams will learn more about next week in Bahrain where Liberty Media will reveal to teams F1's framework for the future

"The one thing we will not want to do is to have the burden of developing two engines in parallel," the Renault Sport F1 boss told Motorsport.com.

"That's one thing that is sure, but it's too early to talk about the technicalities of the way achieve that.

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"There are two things basically in our key message and our position at Renault. First before committing to a regulation, we need to understand the bigger picture.

"And secondly we don't see it's acceptable or sustainable to have to work on two engines in parallel at the same time, for the simple reason that if there was to be a new entrant, which is what we wish, he will have a fantastic advantage in being able to focus on the future, and not to have to worry about the present and the customers, and so and so forth," added the French manager.

"I'm just discussing principles which I think are logical, and fair for the next steps."

Red Bull's Helmut Marko agrees with Renault's engine-freeze demand, but also wants parity installed between manufacturers for the next two years, although the latter condition is seen as a means of reining in Mercedes' current power advantage.

"If new engine rules are coming which we hope should be announced pretty soon, than we have to freeze the engines as they are now," Marko told Motorsport.com.

"And there should be a rule that every engine has to be within three percent, and that is to be properly fulfilled.

"Then we can live until 2020. Nobody has to make development on these engines, and that's the way to go."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.