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[FerrariFan63]

There are many other ways in which Formula One could save a lot of money without having to resort to such stupid measures. Two I don't see tightening their belts are the FIA and Ecclestone.

So would you say that if much more of the television money was routed to the teams, then this would help them save money and be more profitable. Or, would this extra money just result in more spending? I'm taking a devil's advocate approach here, but a standardised engine could be an efficient way of routing money to the teams, particularly in times of economic stress, without just encouraging even more profligate spending. If necessary, perhaps the engines and drivetrains could be given to the teams for free. Less spending on engines and drivetrains may just free up more money to be spent elsewhere, but with fewer places to spend it, the competitive advantage of spending more money becomes smaller. And that latter point is imho vitally important. You can never stop teams and manufacturers spending money, unless the money doesn't get them an advantage.

A way of reducing costs for teams would be to make it necessary that at the end of each year, every team has to have full disclosure of all their designs for that year's car. There would still be an advantage to spending £££££££££ on research, but lesser funded teams could be more competitive, perhaps to the point where a great driver can still make a difference. The same could be applied to engines. And in theory technology would progress faster, with every team being able to build on the inventions and discoveries of other teams.

[texasmr2]

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/n ... 2005.shtml

[FerrariFan63]

The teams and manufacturers are "violently opposed" to this proposal.

So, is a standard engine and drivetrain for formula one something that Mosley really wants. Or is this just a negotiating tactic. I.e. Mosley proposes it so that the teams then come to a "compromise", very similar to what Mosley really wanted from the start.

Though, I think Mosley does not want the current situation where the manufacturers are crucial for F1. It gives them too much power.

[Martin]

The teams and manufacturers are "violently opposed" to this proposal.

So, is a standard engine and drivetrain for formula one something that Mosley really wants. Or is this just a negotiating tactic. I.e. Mosley proposes it so that the teams then come to a "compromise", very similar to what Mosley really wanted from the start.

Though, I think Mosley does not want the current situation where the manufacturers are crucial for F1. It gives them too much power.

A lot of good points made on this thread. I agree that FIA should be concerned about the power of manufacturers, although I think MMs main concern is that the manufacturers could undermine his power base.
I have suggested a number of ways that big money could be saved whilst still allowing teams to develop their own car - which is what F1 is about, and is what makes it unique.

[KyrosV]

budget cap... Simple as

[Gaz]

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/081020092005.shtml

Thats good news, i hope he takes note and stops trying to force it

[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Single engine regime in Formula One could have moved Toyota, and like-minded manufacturers, to quit the sport.

It is believed that, at FIA President Max Mosley's meeting in Geneva this week with FOTA figures, alternative cost-cutting plans were put in place.

But these agreements may have preceded concrete threats by carmaker teams including Toyota, which was horrified at the concept of racing with an engine it did not itself devise.

"For Toyota it would be a reason to leave Formula One," Toyota Motorsport President John Howett, who accompanied FOTA President Luca di Montezemolo to the Geneva meeting, is quoted as saying by sport1.de.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

Well, if it gets Toyota out of Formula One, maybe these standarised engines are the way to go after all.

Seriously though, the idea is terrible and I hope more teams say similar things.

[KyrosV]

Im actually starting to hope manufaturers split with the FiA and to be honest they both cant get along because they both want to have the top power.

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

FIA pushes on with standard engine plan

By Jonathan Noble Monday, October 27th 2008, 13:00 GMT

The FIA is pressing ahead with its plans for a standard engine in Formula One, after revealing on Monday that several parties have expressed an interest in applying for the tender.

In a bid to make much-needed cost cuts in F1, motor racing's governing body announced over the Chinese Grand Prix weekend that it wanted to introduce a standard engine in F1 from 2010 to 2012.

Such a move could prompt manufacturers to walk away from the sport, although F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone did question why they should do so when the move to a standard engine would save the car makers money.

Although the subject of a standard engine had appeared to move off the radar following last week's crunch meeting between FIA president Max Mosley and the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) to discuss costs cuts, a statement issued on Monday suggested the plans are still being pushed ahead at full speed.

The statement on Monday said that 'interested parties' had asked for clarifications from the FIA about several issues relating to the tender. These included the use of technologies in the engines, freight costs and the situation regarding engine changes.

The FIA also made it clear that it would ensure that manufacturers that chose to make their own standard engine would not be allowed to gain any significant performance benefit from doing so.

In response to the question about compatibility issues caused by teams sourcing engine parts themselves, the FIA said: "The FIA intends to ensure that all engines including those supplied by the tenderer are within 1% (engine power of other units) and that they remain within 1% throughout the engine's life. This being the case, it becomes irrelevant that a team which chooses to build the engine itself might do expensive work on the engine."

The FIA has also amended the deadlines for companies to submit their tender applications for both a standard engine and standard power transmission systems.

The November 7 deadline for submitting either just an engine supply deal or an engine and transmission deal together remains as originally set out.

However, should the FIA decide to award separate contracts for engine and transmission, then the tender for transmission only will be opened up once the power unit deal has been finalized. This tender process will last for a minimum of three weeks.

It is not clear which companies have expressed an interest in applying for the tender contract, but senior sources within FOTA claim an agreement is in place for none of the manufacturers currently involved in F1 to apply for the deal.

The FOTA source told autosport.com: "None of the FOTA members will apply. This has been confirmed by all the members."

Well, the plans are still going ahead. If Mosley isn't planning this, he knows how to drive a hard bargain.

[Tony_sa]

more like the beginning of the end..... might as well follow a1gp or some other crap

[al4x]

that is such a shame, if this really does go ahead, well, i really hope renault can win another championship before i give up on f1

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Ferrari in quit threat over standard engine

By Jonathan Noble Monday, October 27th 2008, 19:16 GMT

Ferrari have issued a bombshell warning that they will reconsider their participation in Formula One if the FIA presses ahead with the introduction of a standard engine.

On a day when the FIA confirmed it was still pushing on with its plans to introduce standard engines in F1, Ferrari became the second team to publicly threaten to withdraw from the sport if the concept goes ahead.

In a statement issued following a board meeting at Ferrari's Maranello headquarters, the team made it clear that it did not believe the move to standard powerplants was right for F1.

"Whilst reiterating its wholehearted commitment to a substantial and needed reduction in costs in Formula 1, starting with propulsion, the Ferrari Board of Directors expressed strong concerns regarding plans to standardise engines as it felt that such a move would detract from the entire raison of a sport with which Ferrari has been involved continuously since 1950, a raison d'etre based principally on competition and technological development," said the statement.

"The Board of Directors expressed the opinion that should these key elements be diminished, it would have to re-evaluate, with its partners the viability of continuing its presence in the sport."

Ferrari's statement came less than an hour after Toyota team president John Howett told autosport.com that the Japanese manufacturer would almost certainly be out of F1 if the standard engine idea went ahead. Howett also suggested that other manufacturers would follow suit.

""I think you will see manufacturers potentially leaving F1 if there is a standard engine," Howett told autosport.com. "I don't think any of the manufacturers want a homogenized engine. I think the outcome depends partially on the FIA and the World Motor Sport Council, and whether they have a mind to press through with the idea."

The FIA has already opened the tender for the supply of standard engines from 2010 to 2012, with the governing body claiming several 'interested parties' had expressed an interest in applying for the deal.

Although it has widely been talked about that manufacturers would withdraw from F1 if the standard engine idea went through, Ferrari's decision to go public with their quit threat is a major development - as the Italian manufacturer have previously shied away from such dramatic statements.

It comes with Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo heading the Formula One Teams' Association's (FOTA) effort to coordinate with the FIA a package of rules changes.

This must be the biggest political stunt in the history of Formula One. It's unusual coming from Ferrari, as they've usually tried their best to stay on the side of the authorities, and reaped many benefits for doing so. Still, a real Formula One team threatening to leave is bound to make the FIA reconsider.

[al4x]

well, for once im pleased with ferrari, im really impressed, and i hope they are serious, if ferrari can say it, so can the others

thanks ferrari, [cant believe i said that]

so toyota have sort of said it, now ferrari, common renault, i hope to see u i this bunch!!

[Tony_sa]

well, for once im pleased with ferrari, im really impressed, and i hope they are serious, if ferrari can say it, so can the others

thanks ferrari, [cant believe i said that]

you think mclaren afraid they might get a drivethrough if they say something ???

good thing the big guys start objecting

[f1maniac95]

Thank you Ferrari now hopefully the FIA will change its mind about the standard engine idea but if they don't and Ferrari do quit then F1 just won't be the same any more.