One of the biggest changes was the switch from the 3.0-litre V10 to the 2.4-litre V8: engine output fell by 20%, while weight and centre of gravity height increased, due to the imposition of minimum values. The effect of the restrictions can be seen by the fact that in 2006 a V8 engine designed without regard to regulations could theoretically have achieved a weight of 69 kg and a centre of gravity height of just 118mm.
The robust construction imposed by the regulations, along with the 18,000 rpm engine speed limit, had benefits for engine lifetime and reliability: the engine with which Robert Kubica ended the 2009 season in Abu Dhabi had covered 2,000 km and taken part in four races. To compare once more, in 2000, a new engine was used every day, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of a race weekend.
A comparison between the P86/9 of 2009 and the E41/4 of early 2000 reveals an astonishing picture: the engine power of 750 hp is exactly the same, in other words the 20% reduction in displacement was fully offset. Also, despite the minimum weight regulation, weight fell by 20% while engine lifetime increased fivefold.
