Confirmed at a meeting between representatives from the Grand Prix Manufacturers Association (GPMA) and FIA rep, Max Mosley, are the changes that are to occur for the 2008 Formula One season, and lays the groundwork for regulation changes for 2009 and beyond.

Of most significance is a stop in further development of the engines other than allowing for a retune to enable engines to spin at 19,000 rpm. This means that teams will be using the same type of engine from the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix all-through the 2007 season.

One serious change that was considered was to allow any type of powerplant but with a set limit of fuel for each race. This would have meant teams could have utilised any engine combination including electric and diesel powerplants. Could you imagine the new fuel efficient technologies that would have been developed, or a race between hybrid-electric and turbodiesels F1 cars.

[Source: FIA]

Click here to see the full FIA press release.

Official FIA Press Release

THE FUTURE OF THE FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

07.08.2006

At a meeting today between Professor Dr Burkhard Goeschel and Dr Juergen Reul representing the GPMA and Max Mosley representing the FIA, the following was agreed:

i) Engines will be stabilised from the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix. These will be the only engines used from and including the 2007 season.

ii) This means that no further developments of the engines will be allowed other than retuning for the 19,000 rpm limit, to be agreed in each case with the FIA under the terms of the 2008 Formula One Sporting Regulations.

iii) From 2009 the Formula One Technical Regulations will include means to promote fuel efficiency including energy recovery and re-use. All relevant regulations for 2009 will be published no later than December 31, 2006.

iv) GPMA has setup a working group to examine possible future rules for Formula One which will allow a performance advantage to be obtained by means of more efficient use of available energy. These future regulations may include changes to current power units. The FIA and other engine suppliers will join this group.

v) As a result of the above the FIA and GPMA are now in full agreement about the future of the FIA Formula One World Championship.

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