F1 agrees to engine freeze for 2022; teams back sprint race plans

Formula One will put a stop to all engine development once the 2021 season has concluded.

The development freeze will coincide with the overhaul to F1's aerodynamic rules, which many hope will end Mercedes' current dominance of the sport. Mercedes has won every championship stretching back to 2014 and the introduction of V6 turbo engines.

The freeze was originally proposed by Red Bull after Honda's decision to withdraw from F1 at the end of 2021. It will allow Red Bull to effectively take over Honda's supply without having to switch to a deal with Mercedes, Ferrari or Renault.

As Red Bull does not have the facilities to continue to produce an F1 engine itself, it required a halt to engine…