I just added a bit...on my last post.
They can still develop, more than is being let on, but they have to get some of if right the first time and not just copy.
re. your edit: that's exactly it! The rules changed for this season and it was for the worse all in the name of cost savings, which is not really working anyway as the engine manufacturers and teams will simply have to spend the millions in a shorter time frame (between the seasons).
So how about reverting this rule change to what it was before? Nothing wrong with that, is there?
Well therein lies the point. The rule was set for this year. If we're discussing changing the rules for next year, well that's a different story but what was being asked for was to change the rules for this year, mid season and the two teams pushing for it were teams screaming very loudly to not change the rules mid season last year, and the year before that, and the year before that... see the sticking point here? And they're saying it's for the good of the sport.
So here's another thing, there is a very minimal amount of gain that can be had from a hardware change mid season unless the entire piece is remanufactured, which then means what do you do with an engine that you've used in the early part of the season with the intent of using toward the end of the season. Teams do that, they allocate certain engines for certain circuits and use that. The engines don't get used for three or four GPs in a row, they go back and get serviced etc. So we have to ask, why did Renault and Ferrari agree to this in the first place?
Lastly, you discount gains made from engine mapping but those are still gains to be made. Tuning, finding the efficiencies for both power and fuel usage. That aspect accounts for MORE gains than can be introduced with minor changes to the hardware mid season. Plus there is no freeze for changes that show a cost reduction or a reliability improvement. Again, talk to anyone that's had a mechanical DNF and ask them if improving reliability is not a "gain"?
Most of the people out there screaming have no clue what they're screaming about from a technical perspective. They just don't like their team losing, let's get real here. In any case, this season is done and dusted... let's see if Ferrari and Renault once again allow Mercedes to run away with things in 2015. And if they do... well then shame on them. There's always the option for them to buy a Merc PU isn't there?
The hypocrisy for these calls to save the sport from becoming boring or stagnant coming after we've had four years of double doubles... it's lost on some.