http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_4348733,00.html F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is confident the sport's manufacturers will not walk away following Friday's cost-cutting announcement by the FIA. As part of their money-saving drive, motor sport's world governing body are to open a tender process for standardised engines and transmissions to be used from 2010 to 2013. Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Honda and Renault are currently the six manufacturers in F1, however, the FIA decision would appear to jeopardise their involvement. But Ecclestone sees no reason why they should jump ship as he said: "It's what everybody expected, that they (the FIA) would announce they're trying to get a homologated engine. "We're just trying to get a level playing field to be honest with you. "I don't see why they (manufacturers) should leave. We're saving them an awful lot of money, I hope. "All the technical things will still be there, and they can still show all of their talent. "I say we reduce the necessity to spend to be competitive. It's as simple as that." The FIA have confirmed the manufacturers will still be able to build their own engines when the standard power unit is introduced from the start of the 2010 season. A spokesman for the FIA said: "We intend to amend the regulations to require all F1 competitors to use a standardised engine. "The provider will set out a detailed design and will either provide engines in full working order or the detailed designs to allow competitors to build their own standardised engine. "Where competitors choose to build all or part of their engine, the appointed provider will assist the FIA in ensuring all engines and parts have been built in accordance with the appropriate design and conforms to a performance output in a prescribed range." FIA president Max Mosley is to meet with all the teams next week to discuss cost-cutting measures, with this topic now likely to be top of the agenda. Yea thanks Bernie for turning F1 in to a Soap Box Derby, big dope!
Not sure this will really work? The big guys will still spend to be more competitive and the smaller manufacturers will be under the confines of a homologated engine but at a disadvantage if they don't spend. So what's it achieving? It just seems like more regulation for these guys, making the sport way too governed.
What exactly will be the Mercedes part of a McLaren - Mercedes with a Ferrari or BMW engine? Bernie ought to write scripts for westerns. "The Lone Ranger casts a queer eye over Tonto" Sure it'd rate millions.
Hmmm.... lets see. F1 has had a great year of racing marred again by scandal. First with Max getting caught with his lederhosen down and then with the points manipulation in Spa and Japan. What are the odds the builder of this one make engine will be (drum roll).... Ferrari. Meanwhile across the pond Indy Car has Porsche, Audi and Alfa approaching them as they'll be using four cylinder turbo charged units. You know the kind of engines that are fuel efficient, make great power when needed and could be put in a car that the average Joe could actually buy on a show room floor near you. I know because I've still got one in my MR2 Turbo and I love it. Can anyone say "back to the 80's?" Yea, I'm sure Toyota, BMW and Honda (who's already in Indy Car) will be more than happy to slide on over here for a while. I hope if this rule passes they tell Bernie and Max to stuff it and come over here. I'm ready for the new Indy to take shape.
I was under the impression that the only one in INDY right now is Honda? Edit: With Audi, Porsche, and Alfa to follow next season.
