Renault points to complex Formula 1 engines: ''Are not suddenly simple engines''

From the Italian Grand Prix onwards, Formula 1 teams will have to make do without a qualifying mode. Only one setting may be used for the whole weekend, but is that as simple as it sounds?

''At the end of the day it is a decision of the FIA and we have to adapt to that and it is good that we have been given extra time to do so. You could say that you use the state of the race for your qualification, but it is not that simple. You have to re-analyze everything and then optimise it,'' says Renault's head of the engine department, Remi Taffin.

According to Renault's top executive, it is clear what the FIA wants from the teams, but how they can optimise this themselves has yet to be invented. ''The FIA has been very clear about what they want from us. Over the whole weekend only one setting can be used, where there have always been many more so far'', says Taffin to Motorsport-magazin.com.

The problem, however, is that the current setting is about the engine itself, i.e. the 'internal combustion engine'. With the MGU-H and Turbo, there is still plenty possible for the teams. ''You can't turn these engines into simple engines in a day. If the engine is only allowed to be set to one position, that button won't be pressed, but enough happens in the background'', concludes Taffin.