Mercedes close to a 'one off' compromise deal

[Scott]

...with the engine regulations for 2015.  The article below is interesting in how it explains the breakdown of the engine 'tokens'.  What is shocking is that we are stuck with this engine until 2020   

Well Hallelujah...though why exactly Mercedes has veto rights over the FIA, I am not so clear.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116609

[John S]

After a certain date the FIA can't change the next year's regs without every team agreeing, the date has been passed.

Now all this seems like Mercedes is seeking to gain an advantage, however in fact they are simply trying to protect the advantage they gained by being better in the engine stakes than the others. I don't recall everyone clamouring for big changes to the aero regs when Red Bull had such a big advantage between 2010 & 13.

Merc is also right to flag up the increased costs of an all out engine war, middle and back end teams have been screaming how unaffordable F1 has become, yet Ferrari and Renault want to up the ante by spending even more.   

[Scott]

Of course it's all about Mercedes retaining their advantage.  In fact I'm surprised the Merc customer teams haven't jumped all over it as well.  But the point is, do we really want an engine deal that extends through the next 5 seasons to be heavily weighed in Merc's favour?  Not me.

[John S]

Well it can always be changed by the FIA in the next year or two, - as long as can be bothered to do it in the right time frame that is.   

[Scott]

Not so sure.  I think the engine deal was long on purpose, probably to please the engine manufacturers...problem is, only Merc is now pleased.

[Jericoke]

Not so sure.  I think the engine deal was long on purpose, probably to please the engine manufacturers...problem is, only Merc is now pleased.

All I can say is that the FIA is one of the best demonstrators of the laws of unintended consequences.  Every effort they make to save money, or enhance the sport seems to do the opposite.

I like that the FIA pushed for the creation of a new, efficient 'power unit'. 

I even like that they have rules about how many can be used in a season. 

I don't like that it's locked down, so that a mistake is basically compounded over 5 years.  Teams won't use a faulty engine any more than they have to.  Why should they?  I appreciate the logic behind not having an 'engine arms race' to keep costs down, but there's got to be some sort of middle ground for advancing the engines without skyrocketting costs.