North Star team principal Nick Forrest has expressed concerns over the incoming regulations governing engine partnerships from the 2019 Formula Virtual season onward. Since their arrival in the sport in 2016, North Star have been the sole team on the grid powered by BMW engines. With the agreement in place until 2019, however, Forrest has said that the new regulations will place them at a severe disadvantage if a customer team cannot be found.
"As it stands, with the size of the development bonus on offer" Forrest told journalists in the run-up to the first ever Slovakia V-Prix, "one-team suppliers - such as BMW, currently - will lose out significantly to the likes of Downton and Honda, and if a manufacturer elects to supply a single team and focus their design better, they mustn't be penalized for that." The Scot has also claimed the regulations risk diluting the competition by placing more power into the hands of a few engine manufacturers. "I think with the sheer variety we've seen this season, the unpredictability that's led to, it can only be a good thing for the sport," Forrest continued, "and I am a little worried, I must admit, these regulations could be a step toward curbing that, whether intentional or otherwise, by driving out suppliers that can't find or support multiple customers." Forrest was then asked if both BMW and North Star were willing to supply engines to other teams on the grid. "Of course, we have to be," he replied. "Our engine for next season is already looking very strong, but if we're still on our own with BMW, it's likely we'll be slapped with a major handicap for that." "I don't want to see engine suppliers driven out because they're not allowed to compete," he concluded, "that's what I'm skeptical about." Comments are closed.
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