August 21, 2002. Copyright, 2002, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Keeping F1 engines under wraps
By Elisabeth Ribbans

LONDON, August 21, Graphic News:  Rivalry and big bucks combine to produce fierce secrecy in Formula One. But nothing attracts such zealous security as the F1 carÕs most complex, powerful and expensive component: the engine.

When computer hackers accessed details of BenettonÕs new engine for 2001, the team immediately instigated a last-minute redesign, fearing the spies had compromised its championship chances.

Engine-room secrecy stepped up a gear in 1999 when Cosworth Ð which had previously displayed its engines for the media Ð barred photographers from snapping its new lighter, mightier Jaguar power unit. Today, it is standard for all teams to allow engines to be viewed only when fitted in the car.

ÒAt the conceptualization stage, we believe the more people who have input into an engineÕs development, the better,Ó explains Nick Hayes, managing director of engineering at Cosworth Racing. ÒBut when it comes to the important details, only those working directly on the engine will have access to it.Ó

Teams, after all, spend millions on engine development. The slightest leak could see them lose a competitive advantage overnight. Cosworth, which supplies engines to Arrows and Jaguar, and has been involved in F1 since 1967, says client information is sacrosanct. ÒWe donÕt even let that information flow internally,Ó says Hayes.

Engine work over race weekend Ð limited largely to fitting the exhaust and conducting the fine-tuning Ð is performed in utmost secrecy in one restricted-access room.

ÒOur track support staff are dedicated either to one team or the other for the entire season,Ó Hayes explains. ÒAnd at the circuit they remain totally isolated from one another.Ó

But how much could expert eyes learn from a quick peep at another teamÕs engine?

ÒIf you look at an uncovered engine, you can learn quite a lot,Ó says Hayes. ÒThe drive for minimum weight has led to lighter, more compact, metal castings being shrunk around the engine equipment.Ó This can be quite revealing. ÒItÕs the difference between wearing baggy trousers and a body stocking.Ó Willy Rampf, technical director at Sauber-Petronas, says that even photographing the engine in-situ can disclose certain design features, Òsuch as the type of injection system and the diameter and length of the exhaust.Ó

But, like Formula OneÕs fans, he has welcomed a recent ruling from the FIA Ð motor sportÕs governing body Ð banning use of garage screens and chassis covers in the pit lanes. ÒIn general,Ó he says,Ò levels of security in F1 are a bit exaggerated.Ó

From 2004, the FIA has ruled that teams will be allowed to use only one engine per race weekend. At present, they get through quite a few: a new one for the race on Sunday morning certainly, and possibly two more for practice and qualifying. It means a lot of discarded engines over the season. A chance for rivals to pick over the scrap heaps? Not likely. Sauber immediately boxes up its used engines and ships them back to the Ferrari factory at Maranello for rebuilding. The reconstructed units are used for later practice rounds or testing.

Nick Hayes confirms that Òend-of-lifeÓ means exactly that for CosworthÕs obsolete units. ÒWe pay certificated firms to destroy them beyond all recognition,Ó he says. ÒBy the time theyÕre done, you wouldnÕt know it had ever been an F1 engine!Ó
/ENDS

Sources: Cosworth Racing; Sauber Petronas.