Filed under: Motorsports, BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Ferrari, Renault
FIA wants standard engine for F1 in 2010
Citing the ridiculously spiraling costs associated with engine development, the FIA sent out a statement seeking drivetrain suppliers for every Formula 1 team starting in 2010, meaning that the same engine/trans combo would be fitted to every car on the grid. The company that gets the contract would either build and supply the engines or design and supervise the building of them so they meet a specified range.
This kind of plan seems almost incomprehensible given that Formula One has always been known as a series that allows manufacturers and private teams to compete within the regulations to push the boundaries of what's possible in car development, and especially in engine technology. It seems unfathomable that a team like Honda might consider staying in F1 if they had to use a Renault powerplant, or God forbid a Toyota mill. McLaren-Mercedes/Ferrari anyone?
Despite the obvious negative reaction to this announcement, F1 czar Bernie Ecclestone said he doesn't expect to lose any teams: "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." While increasing development costs have gotten out of hand and threatened the future of the sport by increasing the likelihood that all teams but those with the deepest pockets will be driven out, the overall feeling is that the FIA is using their usual tactic of offering a pretty unpleasant plan, with the hope that teams will accept their much more palatable alternative when that is offered.
Still, there is some support within F1 for this type of plan, especially among the smaller teams that already rely on the major manufacturers to supply engines. A smaller budget means these teams are usually perpetual backmarkers, and with a spec drivetrain, they might be better equipped to grab more podiums. The FIA is set to meet with the Formula One Team's Association in Geneva after this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix. We'll keep you posted. Thanks to Doug for sending this in!
[Source: Eurosport]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Frame 6:35PM (10/17/2008)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
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chris 6:36PM (10/17/2008)
Wow, just when it seems like some good decisions were being made for the regulations starting in 2009, now in 2010 they want to kill the entire concept of Formula 1.
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AZZO45b 6:26PM (10/18/2008)
AB should send this entire post to the FIA & illustrate how dumb this common engine deal really is...
...I've never seen so many "Highest Ranked" / near 100% agreement for a majority of posts!
Luke 6:37PM (10/17/2008)
F1 is turning into NASCARR.
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f3rg 7:37PM (10/17/2008)
E-x-a-c-t-l-y what I was going to write!
Kitko 7:41PM (10/17/2008)
No, it's turning into Indy which uses Italian chassis and Japanese engines.
AZZO45b 10:09AM (10/18/2008)
No not NASCAR... IROC. At least in NASCAR GM, Ford, Dodge, & Toyota build their own engines!
Bernie has just added a heluva people to the European unemployment lines. The F1 teams with the huge staffs will cut back with these new rules.
adrian 6:40PM (10/17/2008)
This will kill innovation. I like the idea of F1 teams trying to rinse every last bit of power from those 2.4 Litre V8's. 750-800 HP is the average so far ( I think).
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Stanton 10:12PM (10/17/2008)
There isn't a whole lot of wringing going on anymore, seeing as how there's an engine freeze which doesn't allow design changes, except in very specific instances (for instance, for reliability issues) and with approval from the FIA. The 19,000 rpm limit is kind of a drag too.
Karan Shah 6:43PM (10/17/2008)
So all the teams will have to do is move the flaps on the aero kits. Great!
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Mobius_1 6:43PM (10/17/2008)
Level playing field? You might as well give each driver the same road car and let them rip it around a track if you are going to make F1 a level series
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Dan 8:39PM (10/17/2008)
Suzuki Liana?
Carlos 6:45PM (10/17/2008)
Why this is so dumb, they want to cut costs, but their the only ones who seem to care. The factory teams don't seem to give a crap. Competition improves the breed, this will just sterilize it.
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Hamud 6:45PM (10/17/2008)
This is stupid.
This will kill the competition between the teams, what would be left to them, designing the chassis?? Ahh come on.
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Patrick 6:47PM (10/17/2008)
This Is The Main Reason Why I Stopped Watching NASCAR. The Same Car The Same Engine Specs. This Will Kill The Spirit Of Competition That F1 Has Always Stood For. What A Shame
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Markona 6:49PM (10/17/2008)
Time for old Bernie to hand over the reins to someone who's not completely senile. What a stupid idea!!
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Todd 6:52PM (10/17/2008)
I could see Ferrari powered by Honda.
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Nick 2:18AM (10/18/2008)
What's wrong with that?
In 1988 Honda provided the engines that won 15 of 16 races. Then followed that up with 10 of 16 the next year.
Something Ferrari hasn't figured out how to do yet.
AZZO45b 10:23AM (10/18/2008)
Right Nick... how many World Championships (Constructor & Driver) have Ferrari won again?
Honda's MOTOR, sitting in a McLaren chassis won those 15 out of 16 races. Care to tell me how well the Lotus -Honda did that year? Did it challenge the McLaren Honda for any of those victories?? Answer??? Not even close
Flea 6:54PM (10/17/2008)
oh f- them.
First, the team/company that has the most money WILL win the contract and get HUGE publicity from it.
THEN it will be able to steal constructor secrets while overseeing the construction of the engines by the diehard teams like Ferrari that will never race with an engine not built by themselves.
BRILLIANT. Brits should be banned from regulating any motorsport whatsoever. Except Clarkson, that'd be fun, with machineguns being allowed and stuff.
If I had the billions, I'd get an FIA license for F-0, where there would be absolutely no limits on the performance of the cars. Active aero, turbos, additional electric engines, whatever. Let the pussies chicken out, and the public enjoy the technologies that would consequently end up in road cars.
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