Drivers can use just eight engines during the coming season. It was previously understood that, as part of the new cost-cutting measures for this year, the original one-engine per two races rule had simply been extended to include a third race per single 2.4 litre V8 unit. This is not necessarily the case.

The rules state: 'Each driver may use no more than eight engines during a championship season. Should a driver use more than eight engines he will drop ten places on the starting grid at any event during which an additional engine is used.'

Therefore unlike in 2008 this year engines do not need to be used consecutively, meaning that drivers can avoid the risk of using the same engine at arduous power-circuits such as Spa Francorchamps and Monza.


Also crucially, penalties for 'unscheduled engine changes' will not be allocated until a driver has completely exhausted his season's supply of eight power plants.

It means that a driver could theoretically use one engine in qualifying and another for the race, without attracting a penalty.

However, race retirement aside, a single gearbox must be used in four consecutive events.

E.A, Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

 

That's actually pretty cool that the engines can be switched around and re-used. Saving all the penalties until after the engine supply has been exhausted means that all the penalties will come at the end of the season and really shake things up if the front runners have any problems early in the season.

Does anyone know if the new rules allow teams to rebuild old engines while just retaining certain components (i.e. block, heads, crankshaft) or will the engines be frozen from any tinkering after being used once?

 

I agree it will add yet another twist to the title race in the closing stages.

I believe (and I could be wrong) that no 'tinkering' can be done to the engines