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 36 - 55 of 115

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  1. lee scrymgeour: I don't know about any mad germans, but I know a guy who has one in a 1908 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, an my next door neighbour has taken the V8 out of a 1980s Rover SD1 and replaced it with a Merlin X. 900bhp+ , 200 mph without breaking a sweat, and makes my windows shake on tickover.

    From ginger_gitt, on Fri 17 Oct 7:22PM

  2. First it started with tyres, now it'll be engine and gearbox. What's next? If there has to be a saving done, control the budget of each team. I say give them $100mil per year what they can do with it!

    From patohalmo, on Fri 17 Oct 7:14PM

  3. 46/649 THATS GOOD NEWS AS IT LEAVES MORE ROOM 4US

    From llorretta22, on Fri 17 Oct 7:07PM

  4. WAKE UP.,.,. IT IS BERNIE WHO BRINGS THE MONEY IN

    WITHOUT BERNIE THERE WUD BE MUCH LESS

    From llorretta22, on Fri 17 Oct 7:04PM

  5. If Bernie wasn't so greedy, there'd be enough money to go around.

    From floydp1947, on Fri 17 Oct 6:32PM

  6. Oh Dear

    Vigilar

    From Vigilara, on Fri 17 Oct 6:31PM

  7. Instead of a "single" engine, how about set specifications across the board? Just specify the engine design, output, etc. and let the teams build their own. This would actually help close the gap between Ferrari/McLaren and all the other teams, which would be conducive to more interesting races. From that standpoint, this could be a good decision.

    From Forza Ferrari, on Fri 17 Oct 6:26PM

  8. its will be like watching another A1, F1 become boring then...

    From LV, on Fri 17 Oct 5:56PM

  9. Damn, Looks like European version of NASCAR is coming. Maybe old Maxy will make them use "standardized" full bodies next. Then all the teams have to do is use decals to make them look like different auto manufacturers. I see Huyndai, Chery, Datsun, Borgward, Triumph and Rolls Royce taking the place of Ferrari, etc. (Yes Renault, Toyota, Honda, BMW and Benz will stay too!)

    Does Europe & Asia have enough rednecks to support the series? I for one will walk away and not look back. The idea is sheer lunacy. (ps - I live in the USA and stay up late/get up early to watch the races now.)

    From Steve, on Fri 17 Oct 5:54PM

  10. I've been watching Grands Prix since the late 50's, Mike Hawthorn, Fangio, Moss, etc., and there is no way I will be watching the Mosley Formula with a standard engine. Why do they not just use Formula Palmer Audi and save even more money. What a load of tosh, I thought the fuel economy formula of years ago was bad enough but this suggestion is a total disaster.

    From haydon649@..., on Fri 17 Oct 5:53PM

  11. @#$%, I clicked submit accidentally

    It doesn't matter who'll make the engine, the fact is with a standardized engine the only thing left will be the aero package. This is getting more and more bs. Pretty soon we'll see monospec cars.

    So long to F1 being the pinnacle of automotive technology. So long to progress.

    I'm not watching it after next season.

    From HT, on Fri 17 Oct 5:43PM

  12. Right. So we get to a situation where independent teams rule the roost and mainly one engine supplier. It kinda reminds me of what F1 was before Max and Bernie encourage all the manufacturers to take over. Williams, Bennetton, Arrows, Jordan etc. running in commercially viable races that were fun to watch. So what have they achieved in their years in charge?

    From Brian F, on Fri 17 Oct 5:42PM

  13. It doesn't matter who's making the engine. With

    From HT, on Fri 17 Oct 5:41PM

  14. EACH MANUFACTURER WILL BUILD THEIR OWN SET OF ENGINES

    BUT TO STANDARD MONEY SAVING SPEC A GREAT IDEA

    From ssharifahh, on Fri 17 Oct 5:39PM

  15. This might be just the thing to push teams to start a series of there own, with no managing from Bernie or the FIA. Time to start over!

    From sdcharger717, on Fri 17 Oct 5:33PM

  16. "I'll be in favour of this under one circumstance:

    Rolls Royce begin building the 24.5 litre V12 Merlin engine as used in World War II Spitfires. It'll sound beautiful.

    From ginger_gitt, on Fri 17 Oct 4:44PM"

    Didn't a mad German make a Trike from one of them?

    From lee, on Fri 17 Oct 5:23PM

  17. After reading the article,i only can think of one thing: Goodbye manufacturers.with goodbye manufacturers,goodbye F1 coz F1 is about a competition between manufacturers.damn F*A,spoiling everything for money to be banked-in into their personal accounts.

    From Guyver_3, on Fri 17 Oct 5:22PM

  18. this makes absolutely no sense at all and i can foresee a new competition arising outside FIA, just like nearly happened in the 80´s.
    it´s great for the promotion categories but F1 is not about that, it´s about high-end technology and it´s great.
    bring back slick tires,active ride,manual gearboxes, end the fuel pit-stops,end all aerodynamics trickery that make cars look like X-wing fighters and maybe then F1 will be competitive and fun again.
    bring back garagists teams !!!!

    From Pedro Ramones, on Fri 17 Oct 5:22PM

  19. What i propose is they use Black and decker engines so know current manufacturer is done over!! Or they could just ride the lawn mowers instead, save them cutting the grass beforehand too!! There you go just saved some more cash for ya!!

    From christianjmontgomery, on Fri 17 Oct 4:51PM

  20. I'll be in favour of this under one circumstance:

    Rolls Royce begin building the 24.5 litre V12 Merlin engine as used in World War II Spitfires. It'll sound beautiful.

    From ginger_gitt, on Fri 17 Oct 4:44PM
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