Audi and RBPT/Ford are new with their PU's next year. Tombazis gave a long interview in AMuS.
I translated this:
How likely is it that a team will be as dominant as it was in 2014?
Tombazis: I don't think we'll see another engine manufacturer dominate the way it did in 2014. Back then, the drive system was much more complicated than its predecessor. This time, we're doing the opposite. We are simplifying the technology. Originally, we wanted to go even further, but we didn't get it through. The new powertrains are simpler. They no longer have MGU-H, and there are stricter limits in some areas. On the other hand, we have newcomers among the manufacturers, and there is always the risk that one of them will miss the mark with their first attempt. Despite budget limits and limited test bench time.
Can the engine manufacturers make improvements if they are too far behind?
Tombazis: Yes. We have introduced a program for this, which we call “additional development opportunities for performance deficits.” It was in the rules from the beginning. In recent months, we have specified how we want to handle it. Essentially, we will measure the average performance for each manufacturer every six races. For those who are below a certain level, there will be an opportunity for retrofitting, depending on how big the gap is. This can be represented in three different levels. More money for development.
More test bench hours. More time for homologation of the specification. So those who are behind have a chance to catch up.
https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/for ... rview-fia/
