Originally Posted by jaycos
so in f1 then this is why the engines let go so easy as cooled by ambient airflow in hot climates, you hear brundel comment if theres a restart or a long pitstop it could cause probs in the race as they heat up so quickly and i spose lean mixtures dont help
The engines are specifically designed to last the exact amount of time that is required of them, they are run up on the dyno and the entire race (well now two races) are played out, the idea is that the engine should pretty much have expired as you cross the finnish line on the second race, if the engine gets more use (due to a restart) then potentially its now going to expire too soon.
Formula 1 is all about things being *just* up to the job thats asked of them, and utterly no more, or its weight you dont need to be carrying or power you arent using that you could be.
Ironically the "1 engine for 2 races" rule was introduced to try and make it cheaper, but in reality i think the opposite has happened as although less engines are used in the racing, im convinced more are used in development now!