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BERLIN, Germany - Niki Lauda has confirmed that Renault's F1 rivals opposed a move to delay the 2014 engine performance 'freeze'.
Although denied by the embattled French brand, it was reported that Renault made the request that was subsequently discussed during the meeting on Friday, Feb 28 2014, of the F1 strategy group.
It was there, Mercedes team chairman Lauda confirmed, that a postponement of the mandatory homologation of the new turbo V6 turbo unit was ruled out.
RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED
Asked by Osterreich newspaper if he was opposed to Renault's request, former triple F1 champion Lauda answered: "Exactly. There are rules and everybody must follow them."
Bild quoted the Lauda as confirming that the strategy group made "absolutely the right decision" in ruling out a freeze delay.
Mercedes was happy to see rivals Ferrari and Renault have to freeze the performance components of their 'power units', given the clear advantage enjoyed at present by the German outfit and its customer teams but Lauda insists the full "truth" of the 2014 pecking order was not yet known.
Lauda said: "That will emerge only in Melbourne and, even then, every race after that will bring surprises. But the title must be our goal."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 F1 season – fresh reports every day.
Although denied by the embattled French brand, it was reported that Renault made the request that was subsequently discussed during the meeting on Friday, Feb 28 2014, of the F1 strategy group.
It was there, Mercedes team chairman Lauda confirmed, that a postponement of the mandatory homologation of the new turbo V6 turbo unit was ruled out.
RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED
Asked by Osterreich newspaper if he was opposed to Renault's request, former triple F1 champion Lauda answered: "Exactly. There are rules and everybody must follow them."
Bild quoted the Lauda as confirming that the strategy group made "absolutely the right decision" in ruling out a freeze delay.
Mercedes was happy to see rivals Ferrari and Renault have to freeze the performance components of their 'power units', given the clear advantage enjoyed at present by the German outfit and its customer teams but Lauda insists the full "truth" of the 2014 pecking order was not yet known.
Lauda said: "That will emerge only in Melbourne and, even then, every race after that will bring surprises. But the title must be our goal."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 F1 season – fresh reports every day.