FIA explain ‘cost cap discount’ to avoid F1 teams being ‘condemned to eternal misery’

FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis has explained the rationale behind the "catch-up opportunities" afforded to the power unit manufacturers this season to ensure they do not swiftly exit the sport.

The new PU regulations for this season, with a 50-50 split between combustion and electric, have resulted in a dramatic change in the manufacturer landscape as GM is the force behind Cadillac's entry, Ford is partnering with Red Bull, and Honda has returned after a five-year absence.

As with any shake-up, there is likely to be a spread in the field dependent on the manufacturer involved. To assist in levelling the playing field over time, the FIA introduced the ADUO [Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities] programme late last year.

It allows for various mechanisms to be applied should one or more manufacturers find themselves trailing behind its rivals, with the FIA to review the situation after six, 12, and 18 races of the record-equalling 24-grand prix calendar.

Tombazis is confident such a plan will not lead to walk-outs.

Explaining the application of ADUO, speaking exclusively to RacingNews365, Tombazis said: "We measure the performance of the power units through various means, in a very robust way, averaging three batches of six races each.

"The program is called ADUO, and on that basis, people who are more than two per cent below on internal combustion power, or four per cent or six per cent, gradually receive more of those benefits.

"Those benefits translate to more available dyno hours, more homologation opportunities, and an incrementally higher cost cap.

"We believe that, in a cost cap reality, it is necessary because, otherwise, if you start behind, you will be condemned to an internal misery.

"We also have a plan to give a cost cap discount, let's put it that way, if you have serious reliability issues, because these power units are very expensive tools.

"You can imagine, if you start popping engines, left, right and centre, that within half a season you've exhausted your cost cap, you suddenly have no more money left, and you're in deep trouble, and then you're left with no option but to leave the sport.

"Clearly, we don't want to ever have a situation where these power unit manufacturers feel compelled to leave the sport because they don't have any hope of ever being competitive. That would totally negate the whole purpose of them entering the sport."

FIA dismiss BoP

Tombazis feels the measures in place are more appropriate for F1, rather than trying to apply any kind of 'balance of performance', which would likely be viewed as artificial and unfair.

Tombasiz is expecting a degree of catch-up, certainly from the new PU manufacturers, but with ADUO in place, they are being afforded every opportunity for parity.

"I do stress that with all of what I've said, I would very, very strongly defend against the words 'balance of performance' or anything like that," he said.

"Ultimately, it has to be remembered that the cars competing on the track are all operating under the same technical regulations.

"There are no artificial ways to give more performance to one or the other. They all have the same regulations. It's just that some, if they're starting behind, have some catch-up opportunities.

"Let me also say that, in Formula 1, with both chassis and engine, there's a huge amount of know-how, accumulated experience, accumulated knowledge, infrastructures, everything that makes it extremely difficult for a newcomer to be quickly competitive.

"You're really starting behind, and it's been one of the objectives to enable newcomers in both teams and power units."