Ok, I've figured out how F1 engine manufacturers will get around this engine freeze...
1 The next few months push engine development to the max, going for maximum power without worrying to much about reliability.
2 During the Japanese GP and testing this winter, although having maybe 20-50 more HP than the rivals, display massive blowups indicating a weakness somewhere in the engines durability. (this would be the result of concentrating on outright power vs reliability.)
3 Cry to the FIA for some extra development to increase reliability. This will give a team more time to further develope an engine, past the engine freeze window, resulting in the possibility of more power with good durability vs the team that built a good, reliable engine for this October's engine freeze.
So is this too cynical or are teams doing this already?