Clampdown on Quali only engine mapping

[John S]

Starting this weekend quali engine settings must be carried into the race.                        
Seems like the FIA is really gunning to stop RBR running off with the silverware too early.      
- Anyone care to review their GG pole predictions?    

Teams are to face a further clampdown on engine mapping use from this weekend's European Grand Prix, AUTOSPORT has learned, with the FIA moving to eradicate special qualifying-only settings

In a note sent from F1 technical delegate Charlie Whiting to the teams, he made it clear that with immediate effect teams will no longer be allowed to change engine maps between qualifying and the race.

Such a move will effectively prevent teams from running an extreme engine map for qualifying - such as one that produces more exhaust blowing or burns more fuel – and then reverting to a safer setting for the grand prix itself.

One theory surrounding Red Bull Racing's qualifying dominance this year, compared to the fact it has not been so fast in the race, is that the team has been using extreme engine maps in qualifying to boost performance for a single lap.

The new directive from the FIA means that any engine mapping setting used in qualifying has to now be used for the start of the race – with the first opportunity to change it now only possible at the first pitstop when a computer could in theory be plugged into the car.

However, such a move would be hugely impractical because of the speed of modern pitstops.

The extreme engine maps that some teams may be using for qualifying would be unusable in the race – because they risk reliability of engines over longer distances and could burn too much fuel.

Although the changes to the regulations coming into force over the next two races will affect all teams, the main focus will be in terms of what impact it has on pace-setters Red Bull Racing.

Extracts from a report By Jonathan Noble, Autosport.com, 21st June.

[Jericoke]

The season has been very exciting... and Seb has even shown he's not unbeatable.

WHY ARE THEY MESSING WITH THE RULES!?

[Alianora La Canta]

Because by lap 3 Seb is generally out of the DRS zone (only Canada being a wet race allowed him to be caught).

I'm not convinced this will help though, since Red Bull are masters of qualifying and the launch. Banning DRS would help but I don't think the FIA is going to consider that at this point.

[lkjohnson1950]

Most folks reckon RB will still have the advantage because their DRS wing is tricker than anyone else's. If you can focus on it in qually, they run with it open much more than the other teams. It will be interesting.

Lonny