PARIS, France - The IAF will move to freeze development of the turbo V6 engines Formula 1 engines beyond 2018.
Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault will equip F1 teams with V6 power for 2014. Honda's deal with McLaren will begin in 2015.
LOCKING-IN TEAMS
F1 correspondent Michael Schmidt said: "Honda is coming in just in time because the development of the new engines will be gradually frozen until 2018. If they (manufacturers) wait too long, their response to problems could be restricted."
The 2018 freeze is putting pressure on automakers believed to be considering entering F1, such as BMW, Toyota, Audi and Porsche.
Schmidt said: "Quick decisions are needed. If they wait too long, the rules will punish them."
The gradual freeze also explains why suppliers are locking teams into long-term contracts. This is to prevent teams from jumping from supplier to supplier as designers gradually tweak and improve their engines.
Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault will equip F1 teams with V6 power for 2014. Honda's deal with McLaren will begin in 2015.
LOCKING-IN TEAMS
F1 correspondent Michael Schmidt said: "Honda is coming in just in time because the development of the new engines will be gradually frozen until 2018. If they (manufacturers) wait too long, their response to problems could be restricted."
The 2018 freeze is putting pressure on automakers believed to be considering entering F1, such as BMW, Toyota, Audi and Porsche.
Schmidt said: "Quick decisions are needed. If they wait too long, the rules will punish them."
The gradual freeze also explains why suppliers are locking teams into long-term contracts. This is to prevent teams from jumping from supplier to supplier as designers gradually tweak and improve their engines.