The introduction of new engines and fuel limits next season will prove a new challenge to Sebastian Vettel and Aussie Daniel Ricciardo as well as the Red Bull team, which won both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles for the past four seasons, because their dominance may be at an end, depending on how Red Bull copes with the new technical requirements for 2014.
Next year teams will be using a smaller 1.6-litre V6 turbo engine limited to 15,000 rpm with an 8-speed semi automatic gearbox, unlike the current 2.4-litre V8.
The minimum weight of the cars will also increase from 642 kg to 690 kg.
Additional power will come from improved energy recovery systems, which recycle energy used in braking and from waste heat stored as an electrical charge for a boost of a 120 Kw lasting about 33 seconds. Fuel will be capped at 100 litres per race, significantly less than the 160 litres used this season and exhaust pipes will have to point upwards, to stop the diversion of exhaust gases onto the rear diffusers.
Demerit points will be introduced for the first time to penalise infringements by drivers (12 penalty points will earn a one race ban) and only a maximum of five engines per car are to be used for the season. A sixth engine will see the driver start from pit row for the rest of the season, while pit lane entry and exit speed will be reduced from 100 km/h to 80 km/h.