FIA invite tenders for single engine

Eurosport - Sat, 18 Oct 11:30:00 2008

Formula One's governing body has said it intends to change the rules to force teams to use a standard engine from 2010 as part of a cost-cutting drive.

FORMULA 1 - 2007 Ferrari engine - 0

The FIA issued a statement announcing a tender for "a third-party supplier of engines and transmission systems" to be used by all teams in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The tender process comes ahead of a meeting scheduled between FIA president Max Mosley and the Formula One Teams Association in Geneva after this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.

The FIA has argued that the costs of F1 are unsustainable in the current economic climate and must be slashed to ensure none of the 10 teams leave the sport.

"The FIA intends to amend the regulations to require all Formula One competitors to use a standardised engine," said a spokesman, adding however that teams would be allowed to build it themselves.

"The provider will set out a detailed design for a standardised engine and either supply it in full working order or the detailed design in order to enable competitors to build their own standardised engine," he added.

"Where they want to build all or part of a standardised engine, the appointed provider will assist the FIA to ensure that all engines and parts have been built in accordance with the approved providers' designs and allow a performance output within a prescribed range."

The statement may be seen within the paddock as part of a familiar carrot-and-stick approach by the FIA to persuade the teams to swallow a more palatable alternative.

In the agenda for the Geneva meeting, a third option envisaged manufacturers supplying independent teams with a complete powertrain - engine and gearbox - package for less than five million euros per team, per season.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone backed the FIA's standard engine stance and rejected suggestions that it might push some manufacturers towards the exit.

"We're trying to get a level playing field," he said. "I don't see why [manufacturers] should leave, we're saving them an awful lot of money I hope.

"All the technical things will still be there: they can show all of their talent."

Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya, who owns the Force India team, and Toro Rosso's co-owner Gerhard Berger were also supportive.

"As an independent team, I'm very happy to see things moving. I think everybody is starting to realise that we are in a very difficult situation... it's very important to move quickly," Berger said.

"Obviously the FIA have put down some proposals with the tender but hopefully FOTA can put forward some reasonable and good possibilities.

"I'm sure in the end they're going to be the best, the cheapest and most reasonable conclusion to fulfil the needs of the manufacturers and the situation."

The last independent engine manufacturer in the sport was Cosworth, who powered former champions Williams in 2006.

Others who might be interested in the tender include France-based Mecachrome, who powered Williams a decade ago, and the Ilmor Engineering operation that was once part of McLaren-Mercedes.

Crash.Net / Eurosport

Comment 76 - 95 of 115

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  1. WHAT IS VALID?

    From TYGERZI, on Sat 18 Oct 9:40PM

  2. What a moronic plan. Why would a car company want to put their name on a car if they didn't make it? If all you want in the sport is independents fine, nothing wrong with a grid of Williams, Force India etc. but forget about BMW, Mercedes, Renaut, Ferrari, Toyota and Honda. I'd love to Eddie come back with the buzzin hornets, but that still gives you what 6 cars. Max should be charged with treason.

    From dstorking, on Sat 18 Oct 8:54PM

  3. YAHOO SHOULD EXPLAIN WHY A COMMENT IS INVALID

    From stivsf1, on Sat 18 Oct 8:38PM

  4. YAHOO is not up to EUROPAIN standard in treating people comments as invalid without any explanation

    From stivsf1, on Sat 18 Oct 8:09PM

  5. YAHOO SHOULD EXPLAIN WHAT IS AN INVALID COMMENT

    From stivsf1, on Sat 18 Oct 8:00PM

  6. fi is heading backwards [1]

    From stivsf1, on Sat 18 Oct 7:55PM

  7. YAHOO SHOULD EXPLAIN WHAT MAKES A COMMENT INVALID

    From stivsf1, on Sat 18 Oct 7:54PM

  8. ALONSO THAT SAD T--T

    From I TYSON, on Sat 18 Oct 7:06PM

  9. F1 RIP this is unbelievable!

    From BigBill, on Sat 18 Oct 6:21PM

  10. Sorry tttobyjug what has this got to do with the story?

    From BigBill, on Sat 18 Oct 6:20PM

  11. F1 is slowly being murdered by money grabbers at the helm racing has now gone its more of a procession winners are selected before the race starts points are deducted or awarded to keep the points of drivers all close so you have to watch the next parade schumacher mansell senna and the likes were so far in front with points they did not have to even race in the last few races sa they could not be caught rule changes every year are killing the sport i always thought a race was won by being the best at what you do the teams all develope their cars to gain an advantage now you wont be able to

    From JILLIAN, on Sat 18 Oct 6:04PM

  12. as i go along reading the posts, there are always renault/alonso fans who have their caps loc stuck.... nvm
    Well im actually speechless, why the hell should be approved a radical measure like this ??? comon it must be other cost cutting ideas.
    Im going to watch the first race with the "same engine" (if excepted by all) it seems to me its going to be as a go kart race in a weekend fair. and after that i will need to look for another motor sport to support.
    by the way what about sleek tires next season?

    From petike, on Sat 18 Oct 5:27PM

  13. I cannot see why Renault and other volume car producers would want to take part in a circus that specifically stiffles individual technical flare and improvement. The internal politics and this move will be the end of F1. I'll stick to superbikes.

    From Mike Ricketts, on Sat 18 Oct 4:23PM

  14. EXPERIENCE COUNTS MOST AT THIS STAGE OF SEASON & DOUBLE WORLD CHAMP ALONSO

    HAS THE WINNING EXPERIENCE WITH MOST POINTS OF ALL FROM THE LAST 4 RACES

    HE CAN AFFORD TO SIT BACK AND WATCHTHE KIDS AT THE FRONT TANGLE TOGETHER

    THEN SMOOTHLY MOVE UP FOR A FURTHER VICTORY

    From tttobyjug, on Sat 18 Oct 3:48PM

  15. As I have said before, there are two kinds of people in F1, those that put money IN, and those that take money OUT. The problem right now of course is that the rules are set by the ones taking vast amounts of money OUT and surely that has to change. The good news is that stupid ideas such as this one will surely accelerate the pace at which the manufacturers take over and kick the greedy takers out...

    From USA 1, on Sat 18 Oct 12:32PM

  16. Re Post 75: No, he meant Fernando Alonso, the double world champion, winner of the last two races, and, the driver who has scored more points than any other in the last four races....

    From USA 1, on Sat 18 Oct 12:22PM

  17. Amazing, all these comments and yet no one supports this. Bet it still goes ahead though, just goes to show that the fans have no place in F1s future. There must be something we can to to get heard, the fans made the sport and yet again MM and BE are doing their part to line their pockets. Lets face it, they will still get their team entry money but they will now also get an engine supplier bribe, sorry i mean fee, aswell

    From racingshed, on Sat 18 Oct 11:46AM

  18. How sad is this news, F1 is supposed to be the pinnacle of motor racing technology and it can't be that if they all use just one engine. Is that a death knell I hear?

    From GEORGE, on Sat 18 Oct 11:09AM

  19. The end of F1 is approaching fast!!Now all top marques will cease competing each other forthe coveted prize. On the other hand we might see who is a skillful driver from he is not. So the likes of Vettel, Bourdais, Kubica and others less popular will come up to light in the news more often. Sorry no more cake and champagne for weak drivers in fast cars!!

    From AndJustice4All, on Sat 18 Oct 10:33AM

  20. SINGLE ENGINE ALL THIS WAS USED IN A1 RACING IT LASTED ONE SEASON, WE NEED MAX AND CO TO GO ASAP

    From I TYSON, on Sat 18 Oct 10:02AM
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