Ferrari Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene says that Formula 1 chiefs have outlined a May deadline for the sport’s 2021 regulations.
Formula 1 has expressed its desire to retain a 1.6 litre V6 turbo but develop a cheaper, noisier and simpler power train, a mantra repeated during last Friday’s meeting of the major figures.
Ferrari did not initially comment on the post-2020 proposals, with Arrivabene reaffirming such an approach on Friday in China, commenting: “I have to point out that it’s not difficult to make a comment. It’s simply not my job. It's the responsibility of my Chairman [Sergio Marchionne].”
When pressed further on a timeframe required for the next set of regulations, Arrivabene revealed that the championship’s quartet of suppliers (Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and Honda) had already signalled its position, with F1 owners Liberty having set a deadline.
“They give us a deadline for the end of May, I think,” said the Ferrari boss. “I hope that this deadline is going to be respected.
“It’s a bit early somehow but it’s far if you’re looking at the situation from another point of view, a technical point of view.
“Concerning the engine, we, Mercedes, Renault and Honda sent a letter a month ago explaining in detail our position. Now, it’s quite clear.”
Toro Rosso chief Franz Tost echoed Arrivabene’s view, believing finalising the regulations in the coming weeks is vital in order to ensure any potential new entrants have sufficient time to react.
“I think the power unit regulation has to be finalised soon, May, June,” he said.
“Otherwise I don’t think it’s possible for new manufacturers to come into Formula 1 because time is running away.
“2021 is tomorrow and I think that Liberty Media is aware of this and the rest we will see.”
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