The teams of manufacturers that currently populate the series are strongly opposed to a standard, one-maker drivetrain, since it eliminates a huge part of the branding and engineering side of the sport, not to mention that it undercuts, collectively, billions of dollars of investment and thousands of hours spent designing and manufacturing the engines for the past season.
However, teams not wanting to use the standard engine have "the right to build an engine themselves", or a detuned version of their current 2.4L V8s, but must use a standard transmission supplied by Ricardo Transmissions.
Max Mosley defended the action, saying it's in the best interest of the teams and the sport, reports Bloomberg. "Even before current global financial problems, teams were spending far more than their incomes," wrote Mosley in a letter to the heads of the individual teams. "As a result, the independent teams are now dependent on the goodwill of rich individuals, while the manufacturers' teams depend on massive handouts from their parent companies. There is now a real danger that in some cases these subsidies will cease."
It is revealed that the cost to teams wanting to use the un-badged Cosworth engine option will be €2 million, plus €5.5 million each season.
"The annual cost will reduce if more (than four) teams take up the option," FIA president Max Mosley wrote.
Mosley said the measures will help small teams survive, and also pave the way for the replacement of more outgoing manufacturers, "as seems likely" to be necessary.
He wants four teams to sign up for the scheme by next Thursday, or the price may go up.
Reader Comments
Wed Oct 22 2008 7:11 AM
Jim says
I can't imagine any auto manufacturer continuing to sponsor a F1 team if the series goes to spec engines. It may be cheaper to go racing but there will be less money to support it.
Wed Oct 22 2008 11:43 AM
Layne says
Max Mosley needs to resign, NOW! He is ruining my beloved F1. I mean, spec engines? Why don't they just start running purely on ovals too while they're at it. How far behind can the decision be for spec aerodynamics?
Fri Oct 31 2008 8:14 PM
NaBUru38 says
"the manufacturers' teams depend on massive handouts from their parent companies"
Max, we call that "marketing budget".
Layne, I don't care about and car bodies and chassis. I only care abut spec engines. Formula 1 is meant to show the carmakers' cutting-edge technology. A Renault-engined Ferrari or a Ford-engined BMW is a sacrilege.
Mon Dec 8 2008 2:52 AM
Layne says
Ya this NASCAR-ization of F1 just infuriates me. It's kind of ironic too when you consider that Nascar is now starting to falter. Attendance and ratings are down significantly, and manufacturers are considering pulling out because they realize due to the spec racing "their" stock cars don't even resemble their production cars, nor do they share much technology. Which might be ok, if the cars were at least differentiated from each other so each manufacturer could display their technical abilities. But they're not, so there just isn't much marketing sense in supporting the series anymore.
And yet somehow the geniuses at the FIA think it's a good idea to go to what amounts to a spec racing series. If they cause Ferrari to leave F1 there are going to be riots in the streets!
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