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FIA pushes ahead with plans for standard F1 engine

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-17 16:58

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

The International Automobile Federation (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 (FOTA) in Geneva after this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.

The FIA, setting out their proposals in an agenda seen by Reuters, has argued the costs of Formula One 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.

"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 measure put forward by the FIA to persuade the teams to swallow a more palatable alternative.

In the agenda for the Geneva meeting, a third option was set out that envisaged manufacturers supplying independent teams with a complete powertrain (engine and gearbox) package for less than 5 million euros ($6.74 million) per team per season.

The last independent engine manufacturer in Formula One 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.