Renault sees 2026 engine rules as sport's 'next battlefield'

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Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul believes the technology that will govern the design of F1's future generation engine will represent the "next battlefield" on which manufacturers will fight.

Formula 1 has closed the debate on the budget cap and the sport's next big regulation change that will happen in 2022.

Stability on the power unit front is also guaranteed until 2026, but an entirely new financial and technical definition will need to be decided well before that term.

FIA tightens scrutiny of engine oil consumption and ERS tricks

"We’ve contained the arms race on power unit development a bit by limiting the number of new homologations per year, and by limiting further the number of dyno hours," the Frenchman told Autosport.

"It’s good, but it’s still bloody expensive to maintain and operate these engines.

"The next step is to have a good look at what can be done in order to make sure that the next generation of power unit is a more economic sell."

Abiteboul outlined how F1 and the manufacturers are likely to approach the future unit's blueprint in terms of cost, performance and relevancy.

"We’re starting to think about what we’d like at least in terms of objectives for the sport," said Abiteboul.

"I’ve mentioned one as probably the most important, the economical sustainability of the next power unit programme, because clearly the current one is very difficult.

"The next thing we need to think about is the technology involved.

"We see the pace at which electrification is gaining everywhere around the world, and therefore we need to think very hard about what that means for F1, what that means in the context of racing, what that means in the context of some parallel co-existence with Formula E.

"We need to think about that, as it’s the next battlefield, in my opinion.

"I think we’d like to have the big principle of the engine agreed for 2021 or 2022, so that development can start in 2023. That’s the sort of macro planning we have in mind."

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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.