Ben Sulayem: More F1 PU suppliers better for private teams
F1 NewsWednesday, 10 January 2024 at 13:19
While Formula 1 prepares for the season ahead, there's little news filtering into the public domain, thus an interview with Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) which was probably held late last year provides a look at his agenda for 2024.
We already published some of his soundbites from that interview with Germany's Motorsport-Magazin. While the lengthy interview does cover some well-known ground as well as matters non-F1 related, the issue of the 11th team was obviously on the agenda and worth this separate mention amid a low news phase for our sport at this time of the year
The 11th team sore point basically pits all F1 fans, every wannabe F1 driver, most pundits and media (not in team pockets) who want that extra team on the grid and indeed look forward to the Andretti Cadillac entry more than any in recent decades.
Under Ben Sulayem's mandate, the FIA rubber-stamped the Michael Andretti-led F1 entry application after a rigorous due diligence process that eliminated two other applicants. In the interview, he argues that F1 has to be attractive to new teams.
Formula 1 will have new Power Units from 2026 onwards
Part of that process was for a more relevant F1 Power Unit (PU) package to be implemented for 2026. A decision was implemented before Ben Sulayem took office.
The FIA Chief explained the change of PU: "If we hadn't done it, neither Audi, nor Porsche, nor anyone else would have been interested in it. If you close yourself off against change and just keep everyone in their comfort zone, then new teams won't come.
"Is that fair? No. We have to take this step, we have to be a little brave. We have to open up and move forward. Normally, there was resistance. But then Audi signed. If there are small adjustments, the weight changes or a new material is introduced: the technology is developing every day!
"What I'm saying is: we won't lose anyone with the changes, we'll make sure we don't lose someone like Audi. We put a lot of effort into bringing them in and getting Porsche's interest. No, that won't be the case. Doing something and then changing it would also be unfair.
Ben Sulayem: Power unit manufacturers are very important
"We will have six in 2026! If you have that, then the private teams also have a better choice. Then they won't be manipulated by one or two manufacturers when it comes to the Formula 1 commission," reckoned Ben Sulayem whose organisation, the FIA is the governing body of not only F1 but all of motorsport barring the USA.
He continued: "Then it doesn't say: I'll give you the engine, you have to say this or that. And the price will also fall as a result. Manufacturers are here to stay. They have a plan and they follow through with it. Manufacturers bring us technology and innovation.
"I know that we are not completely committed to electrification. Firstly, because our engine is the most efficient engine in the world. The power unit isn't just about the engine, it's about other things. As you said: about sustainable fuels. We will use less gasoline.
"We are removing the MGU-H, but we have the MGU-K, it will be a full hybrid. And then we have even better aerodynamics. It will be a better result, we are aiming for an 80 percent improvement. 80! And that has a lot to do with aerodynamics," explained Ben Sulayem.
Currently, in F1, Mercedes supplies Williams, Aston Martin and McLaren; Stake F1 Team and Haas F1 Team are powered by Haas; RBPT-Honda engines do the pushing for Red Bull and AlphaTauri and Alpine use their own engine solely and would be on hand to supply Andretti-Cadillac until GM roll out their 2026 F1 PU.
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