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[KyrosV]

why are they taking away the good things in the sport and ruining it!!!!

[Martin]

F1 is the pinnacle of motor sport, the fact that the teams develop their own cars and components is what makes it so different from just about any other motor sport. This element must be preserved, its what makes F1 so special.
If we are to have a standard engine why not just join forces with A1GP and be done with it?
Of course, cost is a very important factor. The ever rising costs of F1 have to be stemmed, particularly with the current world financial crisis which will leave its effects for at least a couple of years.
We need more teams already (we are 2 short on the grid now) I think it likely that we will lose at least 1more in the next couple of years and the finance situation may force out others too, so costs are important to make the sport more attractive to incoming new teams.
There are many ways to reduce costs - make engines last for 4 or more races (it can be done), limit the amount of fuel that the teams can use - this will save fuel and encourage teams to make engines more fuel efficient and cheaper to build. Control operating budgets for all teams ( any caught fiddling to be disqualified for the season) Reduce the number of support vehicles - are all those fancy motor homes really necessary? There must be many other components and procedures that can be reduced or eliminated - standard engines is not the way. But will Mosely listen? nah - 'course not. He will drag down F1 before he leaves - maybe on purpose?

[scotty]

Reduce the number of support vehicles - are all those fancy motor homes really necessary?

I hadn't considered those things, how much do they cost to build and run for an entire season?

[Gaz]

this is a bad idea we are already 2 team down on the grind who's to say teams like toyota, BMW and Renault would stay if they didn't have the opportunity to show of their engine building skills?

[Denthúl]

I think the whole world agrees that standard engines are not the way to go. However, parts such as brake ducts and discs, steering wheels and perhaps even gearboxes could be standardised (although a standardised gearbox would take away part of the technical challenge - there have been many a fast car that have failed to finish races 'cause of their gearbox being a little fragile, last year's Red Bull being a good example). Engines, however, are the heart and soul of the teams!

[7UpJordan]

Reduce the number of support vehicles - are all those fancy motor homes really necessary?

I hadn't considered those things, how much do they cost to build and run for an entire season?

Yes I think the amount of giant flat packed Motorhomes and facilities is just getting a bit silly now. I remember one time when Brundle was talking about in his days racing there was a simple motorhome - not a giant Dr Mallya special - gazebo's and a post race barbecue.

I think 10 years ago Super Aguri with their budget from this year would have been able to more than easily hold its own.

[8-ball]

I think the whole world agrees that standard engines are not the way to go. However, parts such as brake ducts and discs, steering wheels and perhaps even gearboxes could be standardised (although a standardised gearbox would take away part of the technical challenge - there have been many a fast car that have failed to finish races 'cause of their gearbox being a little fragile, last year's Red Bull being a good example). Engines, however, are the heart and soul of the teams!

This is a great idea. Standardize other parts hell standardize the paint work just leave the engines alone. If everyone ends up with same engine it will be Formula Ferrari and thing that makes it the pinnacle of motor sport would be gone. Costs can be cut elsewhere starting with the obscene fees for a F1 license...

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

FIA clarifies standard engine tender

By Jonathan Noble Friday, October 17th 2008, 08:15 GMT

Formula One manufacturers will still be able to build their own engines when standard power units are introduced from the start of 2010, the FIA has confirmed.

Motor racing's governing body announced on Friday that it will open the tender process for standard engines and transmissions to be used from 2010 to 2013.

A spokesman for the FIA confirmed that the plan now is for the FIA to amend F1's regulations, as further details of the plan were also announced.

The spokesman said: "The FIA intends to amend the regulations to require all F1 competitors to use a standardised engine.

"The provider will set out a detailed design and will either provide engines in full working order or the detailed designs to allow competitors to build their own standardised engine.

"Where competitors choose to build all or part of their standardized engine, the appointed provider will assist the FIA in ensuring all engines and parts have been built in accordance with the appropriate design and conforms to a performance output in a prescribed range."

The FIA's announcement about standard engines comes just a few days before Mosley meets with Formula One team principals to discuss cost cuts in the sport.

[Rick_1138]

Wasn't the standard engine thing started a few years ago in something called A1 racing world Cup.

IIRC it was quite dull, had some exciting races, but one driver was better than all the rest and he walked away with it, at least diff engines\chassis can throw up some surprise, i.e. a bad day or too peaky or more fuel efficient, so can stay out longer over a rivals engine etc.

we shall see, i am reserving judgment until we see next years cars and have uninterupted racing on the BBC.

[KyrosV]

If this happens it will split up F1. The manufacturers will go off and make a better series with no holding back on engine development.

It will be called GP1!

and guess who owns the rights to that name?

[Gaz]

If this happens it will split up F1. The manufacturers will go off and make a better series with no holding back on engine development.

It will be called GP1!

and guess who owns the rights to that name?

Mr Ecclestone i belive,

yeh it won't happen or if it does we'll see

Mclaren, Williams Redbull, Torro Rosso, Force India and Ferrari and perhaps a few othe private teams.

And if theres customer cars it will be all driver and setup so if there's ever a domint car, for example if Pro-Drive were to get in F1 they wouldn't finish ahead of Mclaren

so Mclaren built a really good car you would see Mclaren, Mclaren, ProDrive, Prodrive 1,2,3,4

how boring would that be

[bud]

this will be great, FIA will get its Formula Ferrari and then we can have real racing return via GP1

RIP F1

[Gaz]

this will be great, FIA will get its Formula Ferrari and then we can have real racing return via GP1

RIP F1

if ferrari get the contract it will be a joke the best engine is Mercades by miles!

so much more reliable.

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Ecclestone says car makers won't leave

By Jonathan Noble and Simon Strang Friday, October 17th 2008, 11:45 GMT

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone does not believe manufacturers will withdraw from the sport in the wake of the FIA pressing ahead with plans for a standard engine.

As the car makers refused to comment today in response to the FIA announcement that a tender process has begun for a standard engine from 2010, Ecclestone played down talks of teams pulling out - saying the car makers should be happy that moves were being made to help them reduce costs.

"It is what everyone was expecting," Ecclestone told autosport.com. "They have announced that they are trying to get people to use homologated engines. We are just trying to get a level playing field, to be honest with you."

Asked if he thought car makers would remain in F1 in spite of the move, he replied: "I hope so.

"I don't see why they should leave," Ecclestone added. "We are saving them an awful lot of money, I hope."

The FIA announced on Friday that it will open a tender process for standard engines and transmissions to be used from 2010 to 2013.

But added that F1's manufacturers will still be able to build their own engines when standard power units are introduced from the start of 2010, according to the sport's governing body.

A spokesman for the FIA also confirmed that the governing body now plans to amend F1's regulations.

Ecclestone said that he did not think the tender would stop manufacturers using F1 as a showcase for technology and added that all the FIA was trying to do was reduce the cost of being able to compete on a level playing field.

"I don't see why they should [pull out]," he said. "Why should someone pull out because they are going to save a lot of money?

"All the technical things will still be there so they can show all their talents.

"What we want is to reduce the necessity to spend to be competitive. That is the simplest thing."

What a w***er! He has clearly not got a clue. The majority will probably not leave - there's too much television exposure etc. to not be in Formula One - but they are without doubt annoyed at this situation. The FIA have completely missed a trick on this one. Formula One could be a part of finding new means of energy for cars etc., but we are going to have more of the same stuff we've been watching since 1989. Formula One is not a standarised series and Formula One is about being the pinnacle of motorsport. We may as well go and watch A1 GP. There are ways of cutting costs in Formula One without doing this. It's funny how we don't see Ecclestone mentioning giving the teams more money or reducing any of his fees. What an odious prick.

[big ron]

This is such a dull move and goes against the whole ethos of what F1 should be about - drivers, cars and teams competing against each other. Just imagine how nuts it could be if they let the teams just do what they wanted with as much cash as they wanted. Bring on GP1!