Highlights

F1 governing body proposes further rule changes

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-05-21 08:55

Formula One's governing body and manufacturers are discussing major technical changes from 2011 to try to make the sport cheaper, greener and more relevant to ordinary road users.

A spokesman for the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said on Friday that a discussion paper on power-train regulations had been sent out last week to its Formula One Manufacturers' Advisory Committee.

The committee, which meets next month, includes all the F1 manufacturers -- Renault, BMW, DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes, Ferrari (FIAT), Honda and Toyota -- as well as Ford and the VW-Audi group.

The FIA gave no details of the draft proposals but F1 Racing magazine, in a June edition published this week, reported that one was for turbo-compounded 2.2 litre V6 engines to run on bio-fuel and produce around 770bhp.

They would be rev-limited to 10,000 rpm with engines having to last five races.

That compares to the current 2.4 litre V8 engines which are limited to 19,000 rpm and have to last two races. Only two years ago, cars were powered by thirstier 3.0 litre V10 engines that in some cases ran to 20,000rpm.

"We are in active discussions with the major manufacturers to ensure that in future, research and development relevant only to Formula One will be discouraged, whereas that which has relevance to road car development will be encouraged," said FIA president Max Mosley.

"We understand that such an approach has broad support from the competing manufacturers and we will work closely with them to ensure that, in particular, the new environmentally relevant technologies that many of them are developing are made our priority," he added.

"Whilst aiming to achieve these goals we will ensure that the sporting spectacle of F1 remains the same or is even improved by the new developments."

The power-train covers those parts of a car that generate power and deliver it to the road -- such as engines and gearboxes.

One of the co-authors of the discussion paper was former Jaguar team boss Tony Purnell, now working for the FIA as a technical consultant.

A summary of the main points declared there were two main reasons why changes were necessary.

The first was to "create a healthier commercial outlook for participants by lowering their costs" and the second was "the need to react to public concern about the environment."

It questioned how far the governing body should go however, with the main constraint being to "avoid damage to the emotional attraction of Formula One for its fan base" and retain the "technical awe of Formula One and its sheer speed".

Any change in capacity and further rev limits could be controversial, particularly if they significantly alter the sound of the engines -- a big attraction for many racegoers.