Formula One will stop engine development once the 2021 season is over.
The freezing of the development coincides with a overhaul of the F1’s aerodynamic rules, which many hope will end Mercedes ’current dominance of the sport. Mercedes has won all competitions stretching back to 2014 and the introduction of V6 turbo engines.
The freeze was first proposed by Red Bull following Honda’s decision to pull out of F1 in late 2021. It will allow Red Bull to effectively take over Honda’s supply without having to switch to a contract with Mercedes , Ferrari and Renault.
As Red Bull did not have the facilities to continue making its own F1 engine, it was hampering engine development to become competitive.
On Thursday at a meeting of the F1 Commission, the idea received unanimous support. The FIA said the decision “reflects the unity and spirit of co-operation” between the governing body, F1 and its 10 teams.
Discussions about replacing sprint races at three races – understood to be Canada, Italy and Brazil – received widespread support but have not yet been signed off. A working group has been asked to finalize a sprint race plan before the start of the season with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 28th.
The idea of a sprint race would see a shorter race replace the traditional qualifying session, with the outcome of that event setting the event for the grand prix on Sunday.
F1 has also confirmed its intention to fill the “TBC” slot on the current calendar with a race at Portimao in Portugal that gave a race in 2020.