F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Lack of engine data could impact Alpine in 2022 – Budkowski

Alpine executive director Marcin Budkowski says the team's status as Renault's single engine customer could impact the optimization of its power unit next season.

Manufacturers will be allowed to introduce new engines for 2022, but no development - save for reliability issues - will be authorized thereafter, with a freeze extending until the introduction of F1's next generation power unit, earmarked for 2025.

Mercedes, Ferrari and Honda will continue to supply multiple teams next year, but Renault will rely solely on Alpine for engine data and will therefore collect significantly less information over the course of the season than its rivals.

The introduction of a new engine along with the design of an all-new car that will cater to F1's new regulations presents a benefit insists Budkowski, but also a potential drawback.

"In our case with a new engine it’s beneficial but I think it applies to all the car systems in general," Budkowski told The Race.

"The concern really is you come with a new engine, you come into an engine freeze, you still have the right to do changes for reliability reasons, so if we had a big reliability issue, we could still fix it."

Budkowski stressed the importance of getting everything right at the outset next season, a requirement that should be facilitated by next year's extended pre-season testing schedule which the Alpine boss sees as a crucial "de-risking" period.

"Obviously the engine freeze makes it more difficult to evolve something," added Budkowski.

"So we are very focused on delivering the right package from the beginning of the season to be able to de-risk it as much as we can over the winter.

"You’ve got dynos [engine power measurers] for this. You can do some extensive testing. But nothing replaces bolting an engine in a car and getting it around a track."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Williams' Boutsen hoists the mainsail in Adelaide

On this day in 1989, Williams' Thierry Boutsen secured his second F1 win when he…

5 mins ago

Horner: Max 'answered critics' with epic Sao Paulo GP drive

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hailed Max Verstappen’s sensational Sao Paulo Grand Prix victory…

43 mins ago

Sainz left puzzled by double crash drama in rainy São Paulo

Carlos Sainz was left scratching his head after a disastrous Sunday at the Sao Paulo…

2 hours ago

Alonso pushed through agonizing pain to complete Sao Paulo GP

Fernando Alonso braved both physical agony and mechanical challenges in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix,…

3 hours ago

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

18 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

19 hours ago