By Ian Parkes
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer
MONTE CARLO, Monaco (Ticker) -- Motorsport's world governing
body, the FIA, in conjunction with the Formula One teams on
Friday announced a raft of proposals in a bid to cut escalating
costs.
Following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Monte
Carlo the key components of the changes will see savings on
engine costs, a ban on in-season testing outside GP weekends and
a reduction in staff numbers.
Engines will be available to the independent teams from 2010 for
less than $9 million per team per season, supplied by an
independent supplier or a manufacturer backed by guarantees of
continuity.
There will be no in-season testing from next year except during
a race weekend and during scheduled practice.
The teams have also agreed manpower will be reduced by means of
a number of measures, including sharing information on tires and
fuel to eliminate the need for 'spotters'.
The FIA estimate the list of changes for 2009 will save the
manufacturer teams approximately 30 percent of their budgets
compared to 2008, with the savings for independent teams even
greater.
Other proposals are as follows:
From 2009:
* Engine life to be doubled. Each driver will use a maximum of
eight engines for a season, plus four for testing.
* A limit of 18,000 rpm.
* Cost of engines to independent teams will be approximately 50
percent of 2008 prices.
* No wind tunnel exceeding 60 percent scale and 50 meters/sec to
be used after January 1, 2009.
* Factory closures for six weeks per year, to accord with local
laws.
From 2010:
* The engine from 2010 will continue to be used in 2011 and 2012
(thus no new engine for 2011).
* Subject to confirmation of practicability, the same
transmission will be used by all teams.
* The FIA are to compose a standard parts list relating to the
chassis. Some parts will be allowed development, other will be
required to use inexpensive materials.
* For a race weekend there will be standardized radio and
telemetry systems, a ban on tire warmers, mechanical purging of
tires, and most crucially, a ban on refueling.
* There will also be a possible reduction in race distance or
duration (with a proposal to follow from market research).
* With regards to factory activity there will be further
restrictions on aerodynamic research, combined with a full
analysis of factory facilities with a view to proposing further
restrictions on such facilities.
In the longer term, the FIA and FOTA are to study the
possibility of an entirely new power train for 2013 based on
energy efficiency.
The rules will be framed to ensure that research and development
of such a power train would make a real contribution to
energy-efficient road transport.
The FIA believe an enhanced Kinetic Energy Recovery System
(KERS) system is likely to be a very significant element of an
energy-efficient power train in the future.
In the short term, KERS is part of the 2009 regulations, but is
not compulsory, however, from 2010 FOTA is considering proposals
for a standard KERS system.
With regard to F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone's medal system, market
research will be conducted, also into a possible change to
qualifying.