Revhead Ramblings: F1’s Engine Rules for 2019 Could Cause Issues

It’s very rare that F1 teams agree on anything. However, it’s happened and we’re getting three new rules for the 2019 season!
The Rules

The first of the new rules will see F1 drivers wearing biometric gloves. This will enable paramedics and medical staff to monitor drivers’ vital signs during the race and in the event of a collision. The second rule is set to eliminate the disadvantage previously experienced by taller and heavier drivers; a combined driver and seat weight limit will create a level playing field for the drivers.

The third and more controversial rule will see an increase in race fuel allowance from 105kg to 110kg. The FIA say this will allow drivers to use the full potential of the engine at all times; in theory this makes sense, however in practise it certainly won’t be the case.

First Race

The issue is the three engine per year rule. These engines have to last through every race, practise and qualifying session; therefore, it’s understandable that teams protect them like new born babies. This was obvious from the first race of 2018, Hamilton was on pole and leading until Vettel jumped ahead of him in the pits, he then led Hamilton to the chequered flag.

It was clear Vettel wasn’t the quicker of the two, he wasn’t even the quickest Ferrari, Raikkonen out-qualified him and was four seconds to the good when the drivers pitted. It could be argued Melbourne is a difficult track to overtake on but Hamilton holding back to preserve his engine for the rest of the season is a more likely scenario.

The End to Lift and Coast?

Today’s drivers are well versed in fuel saving. When a driver is told to save fuel during a race, the ‘lift and coast’ practice is the most effective way of doing it while minimising time loss and reducing the opportunity for a rival to take advantage. It isn’t just done to save fuel though, the reduced strain on engines bring temperatures down and prolongs brake life too. The increase in fuel then should see drivers resort to these tactics less and battle harder for longer.

Penalties Prove Too Much

Heavy penalties for engine and transmission changes can completely change the weekend, the championship is so close as it is, no driver wants to risk an engine failure and dropping points. The three-engine rule was introduced to reduce costs, whether it achieved this however is debatable as new research has had to be undertaken in order to take the engine to a higher tolerance which in turn costs money.

Solutions?

The only way to have teams battling at ten tenths every weekend is to either create new penalties for engine changes, a five-place grid penalty is a bigger punishment for the driver than the manufacturer. Alternatively, they could scrap these cost cutting measures. While they would undoubtedly lose some manufacturers due to higher costs, those willing to spend the money will help to build a vastly more entertaining competition akin to 00s racing and attract new viewers.

Click Dealer Raises £2,000 for Automotive Charity, Ben!

Thanks to everyone who got involved in our ‘Bike for Ben’ challenge at CDX in May, £2,000 has been donated to the automotive industry support charity by Click Dealer.

Click Dealer has joined the growing number of businesses within the automotive industry who have partnered with Ben to ensure our employees have access to any financial, mental, social and physical support they need. To show our gratitude for the organisation’s work, we hosted a challenge to raise money for Ben at this year’s CDX.

If you were at CDX on the 21st and 22nd of May, you may have visited Click Dealer’s stand. (The one with the white Tesla!) We asked the event’s attendees to pedal our stationary bike for 60 seconds each, to generate energy to power our Tesla across Europe!

Not only did everyone who took part have a chance to win a holiday, but we also promised to raise our donation to Ben as the power produced increased. Everyone who hopped on the bike helped to bring the total to a brilliant £2,000, so thank you to all who got involved!

Last week, Ben’s Partnership Development Manager came to Click HQ to pick up the cheque and the money will go towards funding the fantastic work that the charity does.

Ben is a charity which helps anyone who works in the automotive industry. The non-profit organisation provides support for those experiencing physical, social, mental and financial difficulty, aiming to improve overall health and wellbeing.

Services offered by Ben include assessment, information, advice and guidance, managed referrals, therapy and funding for home adaptations or breaks for individuals and families dealing with illness. The money your pedalling has raised will help Ben continue to provide these invaluable services.

Click Dealer are also proud to be taking part in ‘Bangers4Ben’ in October. This is a competition run by Car Dealer Magazine, where entrants must purchase a car for less than £750 and travel around Europe in it. The cars will be sent to auction after the trip and the proceeds, along with any fundraising money will be donated to Ben.

Find out more about Ben here or follow the charity’s social media channels. Stay tuned for more information about Click Dealer’s participation in Bangers4Ben!