F1 should not impose new engine development ’freeze’ - Renault

F1 engine maker Renault has argued the sport should not enter another development ’freeze’ once the regulations change in the future.

The World Motor Sport Council is expected to shortly ratify new regulations for a switch from the current normally-aspirated 2.4 litre V8 engines to turbocharged 1.6 litre V6s in 2014.

For the past several years in F1, development of the current crop of V8 engines has been severely restricted by the so-called ’freeze’.

But for the new rules, Renault Sport F1’s deputy managing director Rob White says: "We are not in favour of a total freeze over many years.

"What we propose is an annual cycle of homologation in which year-on-year improvements are permitted for the purposes of improving efficiency," he told redbull.com.

White said a likely goal for the new V6 rules is an incrimental improvement in the F1 engines’ mandated fuel efficiency.

"So, we think there’s a good value balance between limited changes, year-on-year, and the important environmentally sustainable message that fuel consumption reduction is not a big-bang, one-time deal," he explained.

"That’s not been agreed yet, because we don’t yet have sporting rules."

White also admitted that the FIA’s earlier-stated goal of producing a ’world engine’ that can be applicable across the major motor racing series is not yet likely.

"I think one should never exclude any opportunities, but for the time being this is a very specific set of regulations, which is entirely driven by formula one," he said.