FIA may move to equalize F1 engines

The FIA may be contemplating how to equalize the performance of the engines in formula one, according to reports. Together with the 19,000 rpm limit, the sport is in the midst of a so-called 'freeze' on most engine development, meaning that the basic power plants currently installed in teams' cars will remain unchanged for several years. An arguable glitch in the cost-cutting rule, however, is that some engine manufacturers are enjoying a performance advantage over their rivals.

Ferrari is said to have prepared best for the engine freeze, now regularly dominating the speed traps at F1 circuits, but Mercedes-Benz and BMW are also widely believed to have clearly more powerful 2.4 litre V8 units than Renault, Toyota and Honda. The Spanish newspaper Diario AS is reporting that the FIA is thinking about redressing the balance by introducing some sort of engine performance limiter in 2009, controlled via the standard ECU.

The less likely option cited by AS is the concept of simply opening up some areas of development for those with the less powerful engines so they can catch up with the pacesetters.