Standard engines for F1?
It was believed that, subsequent to the FIA's invitation to tender two weeks ago, Max Mosley at a meeting with F1 chiefs agreed to shelve the proposal in favor of alternative cost-slashing plans.
But in a press statement on Monday, the Paris based body made it clear the process is pressing on, having now published answers to "questions from interested parties".
The FIA also confirmed that bids to become F1's sole supplier of engines and transmissions can still be lodged until 7 November.
"The FIA intends to introduce amendments to the governing rules requiring that all competitors must use a standardized engine and transmission system in the championship," an excerpt from the tender summary reads.
The summary said the official supplier will be selected in late November.
10/27/08 This rumor is downgraded to 'false.' Flavio Briatore has confirmed that the issue of standard engines in formula one is no longer on the table.
Despite the FIA putting out a tender to become F1's sole engine supplier in 2010, an alternative agenda for cost savings was apparently agreed at the recent Geneva meeting between FOTA chiefs and Max Mosley.
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| Flavio Briatore |
| Renault |
Renault boss Briatore said in interview with Germany's Welt am Sonntag newspaper that, instead of standard engines, F1 will "probably" pursue the route of a future engine formula that, "on the basis of costs, will not go beyond certain development borders".
A similar strategy will be followed for transmissions, Briatore explained, with the technologies to be made available by the carmaker teams to privateers "at a reasonable price".
09/27/08 (GMM) Renault is the only team that currently supports FIA president Max Mosley's proposal for a common engine in F1.
Mosley's suggestion has been a major subject of discussion in the latest meetings of the formula one teams' alliance FOTA, according to the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport.
The report said only Renault currently backs the plan, but team customer Red Bull might also fall in line should the issue go to a vote.
Under the FOTA statutes, rule changes such as the common engine proposal require at least 7 of the 10 teams to vote in favor.
Auto Motor und Sport, meanwhile, reports that F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone is annoyed with McLaren.
Of the 20 race drivers, only Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen reportedly turned down an invitation on Friday to attend a lunch with Singapore president Sellapan Rama Nathan.