The F1 Strategy Group reportedly voted to end the engine freeze
Despite opposition from Mercedes, the Formula 1 Strategy Group is said to have voted in favor of unfreezing engines, paving the way for a regulatory revision that would reauthorize modifications to the engine during the season.
Established by regulations on the V6 turbo hybrid engine, the engine freeze during the season could be removed after the F1 Strategy Group voted for its removal.
According to Adam Cooper, this tripartite institution composed equally of representatives from the FIA, commercial rights holders, and six teams would have decided to lift the engine freeze by a majority of the votes cast.
No big surprise, on the side of the teams, Ferrari, McLaren – which will switch to a Honda engine in 2015 – and Red Bull have apparently voted for the end of this measure while the teams that will be equipped with Mercedes engines (Mercedes, Lotus, and Williams) would have voted against. Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone also supported the unfreezing, securing 12 additional votes for their supporters.
To be approved, however, this measure will now need to be approved by the F1 Commission, which has a broader composition since it includes all team principals, representatives of commercial rights, representatives of the FIA, eight race promoters, Pirelli, two sponsors (Rolex and Marlboro), and an engine manufacturer (Renault). The three dissident teams and presumably Force India will need to convince others to prevent the process from proceeding.
