Ferrari undecided over upgraded F1 engine introduction date

Ferrari will introduce a more powerful engine at some point in the second half of 2021. 

The team announced its plans before the summer break, with a rumoured 10bhp boost expected in performance.

Speaking ahead of the Italian Grand Prix weekend, Binotto revealed that Ferrari still hasn’t decided when it will first run but is keen for it to be introduced in 2021 ahead of next season.

“We are working very hard to have them ready as soon as possible,” he said. “It’s a change in technology on the hybrid side. In order to introduce them, we need first to transport the materials, and being dangerous materials, you need formal homologations and certifications for it. So it’s not only a matter of developing the hybrid system on the dynos and to somehow prove their reliability, but there is a lot of aspects that need to be addressed before to have them available on track. 

“At the moment, there is not a race that is decided. It will be as soon as possible because we believe running it as much as we can this season will be of interest for next season. So, hopefully it will be in the next races and very soon.”

After enduring its worst season in 40 years last year, Ferrari has enjoyed a significant step in performance in 2021.

With the major regulation overhaul on the horizon, Binotto is hopeful Ferrari can take its learnings from 2021 into 2022 with its new power unit.

“For us it was important in the view of 2022 because whatever we bring as an upgrade will be somehow useful in terms of experience for next year,” he added. “It will be by the end of the season, it is not coming so soon, it is not for the next two, three races.  

“But certainly significant upgrades on the hybrid side, we somehow setting a new technology for us for the future.”