Star Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey believes next year’s rules change could allow one team to dominate the way Mercedes did after 2014.
Newey, who left Red Bull last year to join Aston Martin, says the incoming regulations could allow one engine manufacturer to lock in an advantage in the same way Mercedes did the last time F1 changed the power unit formula.
“I think there has to be a big chance that it’s an engine formula at the start,” he told Auto Motor und Sport. “The reality is I can’t remember another time in Formula 1 when both the chassis regulations and the engine regulations have changed simultaneously and where, in this case, the chassis regulations have been very much written to try to compensate for the power unit regulations. So it’s an extra dimension.”
Newey, who was dismayed by how uncompetitive Red Bull’s Renault engines were after the 2014 rules change, expects manufacturers will be alert to the threat posed by the coming change. However he still sees a risk one could gain a significant advantage over their rivals which will keep them ahead for several seasons.
“I think engine manufacturers will have learned to an extent [from] the lack of preparation that the rivals to Mercedes did prior to that change,” he said. “But there has to be a chance that one manufacturer will come out well on top and it will become a power unit-dominated regulation, at least to start with.
“And there’s a chance that if it’s on the combustion engine side of it, that somebody comes up with a dominant combustion engine, that will last through the length of the formula, because the way the regulations are written it’s quite difficult for people who are behind to catch up. If it’s on the electrical side, then there’s much more ability to catch up if you’re behind.”
It is not yet clear how far a competitive chassis might be able to make up for an uncompetitive power unit, said Newey. “Because I’ve been out of Formula 1, really, since the end of April, then I have little detailed knowledge of the new regulations.
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“Of course, the power unit side of the regulations has been out for some time but in terms of the chassis side of it and the aerodynamics and the vehicle dynamics, then I don’t have much knowledge. So that will be a rapid learning curve when I do start.”
One year ago Newey was embarking on his 19th season at Red Bull, following two consecutive constructors’ championship victories. He said his change in circumstances has come as a surprise.
“If you’d said to me 12 months ago, would I be leaving Red Bull and then now ultimately starting again, I would have said, ‘no, you’re crazy’.
“But, for various reasons, I felt I wouldn’t be true to myself if I stayed at Red Bull. So the first difficult decision was exactly that. Do I stay at Red Bull or not?
“I obviously came to the conclusion that, being honest with myself, I couldn’t. And then having made that decision, it was then what to do next.”
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Formula 1
