Haas Formula 1 team owner Gene Haas has stated that he has no concerns regarding the new-for-2018 limit of three power units for the season.
The team enters its third season in F1 with Ferrari power unit’s, as the two outfits continue their technical partnership.
F1’s new rules dictate that teams are only permitted to use three power units per season, with the control electronics, MGU-K and energy store elements being limited to only two for the 21 race calendar.
The rule change will be introduced despite a high number of grid penalties being issued last season, as several teams greatly exceeded a power unit allowance of four for the season.
Despite Red Bull team boss Christian Horner describing the rule-makers as “barking mad,” while Honda boss Yusuke Hasegawa dubbed the new regulations as “unreasonable,” Haas is content with the limit.
“I think it’s like anything else – the more seasons you have with an engine package, the more reliable it’s going to become,” he said.
“I have no doubts they can do the season with three engines. Plus, there’s not going to be this tremendous need for upgrades because the engine horsepower has somewhat plateaued.
“I don’t think Mercedes or Renault is going to be that much farther ahead or behind Ferrari. I think they are all within a half-a-percent of one other.
“I think from a reliability standpoint, Ferrari is excellent.”
Haas’ comments follow reports that Ferrari has hit its reliability targets during its winter dyno tests, as the Italian marque prepares to start the season with an evolution of last year’s power unit, rather than a re-design.
Speculation that a brand new cylinder head is in development to be introduced mid-season has recently surfaced. If executed, the upgrade would serve to specifically combat Mercedes’ advantage in qualifying.
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