Testing banned as F1 cuts costs

Eurosport - Sun, 14 Dec 07:04:00 2008

Formula One costs will be slashed from next year by at least 30 per cent as a result of cost-cutting measures including a ban on testing during the season.

FORMULA 1 2008 Max Mosley, FIA president - 0

The governing FIA said in a statement that independent teams would see engine costs halved in 2009, with a year's supply priced at five million euros (£4.47m) from 2010.

Testing will be banned during the season other than at regular Friday practice at grand prix weekends, and from 2010 refuelling will cease and grand prix distances could be shortened.

The FIA estimated that the new measures would save manufacturer-owned teams the equivalent of 30 per cent of their 2008 budgets next year, with independent teams seeing even greater reductions.

The measures come with the sport staring into the abyss, with the manufacturers who own half of the teams facing plunging sales and share prices.

Honda, who have spent hundreds of millions of pounds for scant reward, have already announced they are pulling out - triggering fears that another carmaker could quit before the season starts in Australia on March 29.

"I think this is probably the first step towards Formula One saving itself," FIA president Max Mosley said.

"What's significant about these changes is when you walk down the pit lane, or you sit in the grandstand or watch television, you will notice no difference at all. It will be Formula One as we all know it but clearly much less expensive."

The FIA World Motor Sport Council, approving changes unanimously agreed by the teams, said engines would be detuned to 18,000 rpm and have to last for three races next season rather than the current two.

The teams will be limited to a maximum of 20 engines per season, eight for each of the two drivers and four for testing - about half their current usage.

"Engines will be available to the independent teams for less than five million euros per team, per season," the FIA said, looking ahead to 2010.

"These will either come from an independent supplier or be supplied by the manufacturer teams backed by guarantees of continuity. If an independent supplier, the deal will be signed no later than December 20, 2008.

"This same engine will continue to be used in 2011 and 2012 (thus no new engine for 2011)."

There will be restrictions on the use of costly wind tunnels from January and reductions on the number of team personnel attending races.

The new KERS system, which recovers energy generated under braking to produce additional bursts of power, will not be mandatory next season.

"For 2010, the Formula One Teams Association is considering proposals for a standard KERS system," the FIA said, adding that it was awaiting proposals.

In the longer term, The FIA and FOTA "will study the possibility of an entirely new power train for 2013 based on energy efficiency".

Factbox: Cost-cutting measures

CHANGES FOR 2009

* Engines must each last for three successive races, rather than two at present, with the 2.4 litre V8 units reduced to 18,000 rpm (currently 19,000) with no internal re-tuning allowed.

* All engines will otherwise remain the same as in 2008, with the exception of Renault who have been authorised to make certain modifications to restore parity.

* Teams will be allowed a maximum of 20 engines per season, eight for each driver and four for testing. This is about half their current usage.

* Independent teams will pay approximately half what they were paying in 2008.

* Testing during the season will be allowed only at Friday practice on race weekends. In 2008, teams were limited to 30,000 km per season.

* Wind tunnels exceeding 60 per cent scale and air speeds of 50 metres per second to be outlawed from January.

* The number of team staff at races is to be reduced through various measures, including sharing information on tyres and fuel.

CHANGES FOR 2010

* Engines are to be made available for independent teams for less than five million euros (£4.47m) per team, per season, either provided by an independent supplier or the manufacturer teams backed by guarantees of continuity. That compares with current engine costs estimated at more than 15 million euros (£13.41m) a season.

* The same transmission to be used by all teams, subject to confirmation that this is practicable.

* The FIA will compose a list of standard parts for the chassis.

* Radio and telemetry systems to be standardised.

* Refuelling will cease during races and the use of tyre warmers will be banned. Race distances and duration could also be reduced, subject to market research.

* Aerodynamic research will be further restricted.

LONGER TERM

The FIA and Formula One Teams Association will look into the possibility of an entirely new powertrain (engine and transmission) for 2013, based on energy efficiency.

Reuters

Comment 81 - 100 of 140

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  1. whats next?
    wooden tyres?

    From shizzelez, on Sat 13 Dec 10:31AM

  2. I cant wait for the Pittsburg Baltimore game, it's­ going to be very special and that's where most of­ the car buyers will be on Sunday...

    From USA 1, on Sat 13 Dec 9:57AM

  3. Re Post 102, I agree totally but I continue to argue­ that Mr. Eccelstone is vastly more guilty than Mad Max­ and for F1 to survive as the leading motor racing­ spectacle, BOTH have to go and be replaced by people­ who understand the heritage of F1 motor racing. And of­ all the names I hear put forth to make that happen,­ none of them appeal to me. If we get rid of the current­ mob, we need to put new folks into the game and­ frankly, I cannot think of any people that would have­ the ability to return F1 to its former glory. I'm­ lucky, where I live on the east side of the USA, I get­ an unlimited choice of sports to watch every weekend so­ frankly, I'm not that interested in staying up all­ night to watch an unwatchable event in a country on the­ other side of the planet. But I would stay up to watch­ a great F1 race in Europe if in fact they ever get back­ to the basics of racing. The other big problem they­ have of course is that here in the US of A, Sunday is­ all about NFL Football and if they want me to switch­ between NFL games and an F1 event, they will need to­ make it way better than it has been the last few years.­ This Sunday, we have Pittsburg and Baltimore in a­ titanic fight for their conference, if there was an F1­ event scheduled for that same day, guess how many­ Americans would tune in for it. NONE!!!

    From USA 1, on Sat 13 Dec 9:50AM

  4. Either Max goes or F1 will. The sport won't­ survive much more of his meddling. F1 is meant to be­ the pinnacle of motorsport in terms of driving and­ technology. His one man crusade to cut costs to such­ ridiculous and unreasonable levels will see teams,­ sponsors and fans turn away in droves. Nobody wants to­ see an F1 which is verging on being a standard spec­ series or where races are short and tactic free - just­ look at how comparatively little interest there is in­ GP2 or A1GP to see proof of that!

    From hiz15, on Sat 13 Dec 9:25AM

  5. There seems to have been a No Overtaking rule in F1 for­ some years already and these changes probably will have­ little effect other than to convince us all that the F1­ we all knew and loved is a thing of the past. From­ being the high spot of motor racing, F1 has become­ little more than a nice earner for Mr. Eccelstone and­ an opportunity for the teams, the promoters, the­ tracks, and the event organizers to lose lots of money.­ Our favorite tracks have gone, or are going, teams are­ leaving, fans are tired of the politics, and it all­ comes down to the unbelievable greed of just one­ person. I don't need to name him but his ex wife­ will in her divorce suit. Goodbye F1, it was nice while­ it lasted, but that was then, and this is now and now­ means no more F1 as we all knew it.

    From USA 1, on Sat 13 Dec 9:12AM

  6. Is it just me, or are Max and Bernie trying to make F1­ just as boring, or more so, than NASCAR? And still at­ ten times the price! Shorten the races, too? Please. ­ They are already the shortest (length of time) of all­ the other series. So let me get this straight: A one­ hour race, with no pit stops, no passing, and 18 cars­ (if we are lucky) parading around a circuit. ­ B-O-R-I-N-G ! ! ! !

    From Todd L, on Sat 13 Dec 8:58AM

  7. no 79,

    It attracts more because more watch it. 1% of­ 100 is 1, 1% of 2000000 is 20000 that's why there­ seems a bigger proportion.

    ps only F1 fans would pay­ to watch F1 live at the prices they charge so I would­ presume the racist monkeys in spain were F1 fans not­ soccer fans (footie for u younguns)N.0.B.

    From wiggy, on Sat 13 Dec 8:26AM

  8. Max & Bernie!

    They cost Senna his life the pair of­ barstewards with their 4king ill thought changes always­ 4kin knee jerk (what do you expect with­ jerkers)

    I'd love F1 to go down the pan (but the­ teams survive) to screw that pair o'monkeys.

    In­ fact why don't they get their balls together and­ pull out and form an association whereby favoratism­ can't get the perks

    From wiggy, on Sat 13 Dec 8:12AM

  9. why dont we start playing rugby and ban tackling or­ make 100 meter runners wear concrete boots if i was­ currently running a team in formula 1 and as much as i­ love the sport i would pull out or maybe in 2011 i­ could enter my rover 75 2500cc v6 or is the engine too­ big! cost cutting........... why doesnt bernie give up­ his earnings and give it back to the teams cos the way­ hes going he will be earning next to nothing i for one­ wont be watching.

    From maj1961, on Sat 13 Dec 7:43AM

  10. Never Y - Of course a ferrari driver has NEVER won the­ championship by suspect practices?? What about rent a­ crash schumacher? How many times did he taken out the­ only rival to the title in the last race of the season­ - I'm sure Damon Hill to mention but one driver­ remembers the antics of Ferrari in years gone by!

    From Marcus, on Sat 13 Dec 6:51AM

  11. WAT IS THE EFFIN POINT OF BANNIN REFUELING THERE WILL B­ LESS OVERTAKING AND THERES NOT THAT MUCH AT THE­ MOMENT!!!

    WAT IS THE WORLD COMMING TO

    From Samuel, on Sat 13 Dec 6:42AM

  12. what a load of @#$% this will kill f1 off for good­ after the first 3 or 4 races the season will be over as­ the loseing teams wont be abel to do enough work to­ catch up the leader

    From U R SOLES, on Sat 13 Dec 6:35AM

  13. i will always watch f1 because of what it is. it has­ changed so much but let the talents of the drivers­ shine though! (Massa)

    From kevin, on Sat 13 Dec 6:27AM

  14. it will make f1 boring and can you imagan if the top­ cars run out of fuel and the tail enders win it will­ turn it into a farce

    From MICHEAL B, on Sat 13 Dec 5:48AM

  15. errrr.... I have a simple question.... who is going to­ pay $300/ticket just to watch a 30 or 40 minute race???

    From dalnsour, on Sat 13 Dec 5:27AM

  16. Never Y been eating those dodgy mushrooms again Tut­ Tut..

    From redimaster, on Sat 13 Dec 5:20AM

  17. Is not the soap opera of F1 grand. The off season can­ be as entertaining as the races. Well allmost.

    From X RACER, on Sat 13 Dec 5:13AM

  18. I am surprised at the results. All of the proposals­ are reasonably effective except for the continuation of­ KERS. In that regard; the sensible approach of an­ outside supplier perfecting the device and teams either­ buying it, or leasing it with their engine/driveline­ packages.

    This result would not have been possible­ without the creation of the FOTA. Their solidarity has­ resulted in some rational thought from the FIA. ­ Without the compromise from the FIA, the future of F1­ could have very well been lost. I am impressed. I do,­ however, wonder of fans will be lost to the notion that­ F1 has become a Spec series. The teams are going to­ have to do everything they can to mitigate against that­ notion gaining public acceptance. That idea might be­ more difficult to overcome than the financial­ difficulties ahead not only for the teams, but for­ those team personnel who will eventually find­ themselves without jobs.

    From larsonrc41, on Sat 13 Dec 5:07AM

  19. Cost Cutting that seems to be the main target to change­ F1, when Honda used the Earth Dreanms logo on there car­ to show care and concern about the planet, that in­ itself was a joke, an economical enviromently friendly­ F1 car...I dont think so, If we are to worry about­ costs and saving the planet there are other more­ obviouse areas you could save money and fuel, how about­ stopping the helicopters flying around telling the­ teams what the weather is like 10 miles away?­ transporting drivers all over the world to launch there­ new F1 eco cars...yea right, There was a comment in an­ earlier post, F1 has followed the economic climate and­ got expensive, now like your average jo its time to cut­ back or lose all, Mr Mosley has to look at all aspects­ of F1 to save money,
    me I loved the old senna/mansell­ days how do the costs compare now to then?.

    From ALLEN V, on Sat 13 Dec 5:07AM

  20. The teams with the $$$ will simply take the money they­ were going to spend on real-life testing and move it­ into simulation. The teams without money won't be­ able to do it as effectively. Those that won't­ spend every single Euro they can will fall further­ behind. Without putting a financial spending cap on all­ of the teams, none of these measures will result in any­ real cost savings.

    From Brad, on Sat 13 Dec 5:02AM
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