Chief Delphi - Limiting Drivetrain Motors

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesCH95 (Post 1391101)

I won't disagree that F1 lap times have been improved primarily by suspension and handling, but it doesn't negate the parallel. If motor availability (engine displacement) is reduced then teams will find other ways to make their robots (cars) just as fast as they were, like multi-speed automatic transmissions (improvements in suspension, brakes, and tires). This fits in nicely with your point - the restriction won't slow down the higher-end teams who can devote resources to making more advanced transmissions (develop suspension, tires, brakes) but it will hurt middle and bottom tier teams who do not have the resources to devote to these efforts.

Since F1 was brought up and totally unrelated to the op's topic, lap times have been dropping primarily due to advances in aerodynamic efficiency. This is why the FIA has been increasing limitations on the size/extent of aero surfaces on F1 race cars.