Full Throttle

Geneva, Switzerland has been the site of many “worldly” negotiations over the course of its history. Its been the preferred location many “waring sides” have chosen to come together to settle issues in dispute.

Geneva is also the capital of the Terran Federation, the fictional government of Earth and her Space Colonies.

Given that historical record, fictional and otherwise, it’s not surprising the FIA[sco] and F1’s FOTA met in the Swiss city to iron out differences between the sides have over cost cutting in the ostentatious, prima-dona laden sport in the world.

Despite FOTA members sitting home en masse, sending only organization chief Luca di Montezemolo, they hammered out a deal. Of a sort.

Nothing has been announced officially, apparently Autosport had a mouse in the smoke-filled room, they report four main points were agreed upon in what they call a “landmark agreement.”

1. Engine life will be increased from two to three races from 2009

2. Manufacturers must be prepared to make 25 engine units available, at a cost of 10 million Euros, to customer teams

3. There will be a further meeting between FOTA members in Brazil to determine testing kilometre limits for 2009, and an agreement in principal on the introduction of a standard Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) unit for 2010 or 2011. KERS is believed to remain open for teams to use next season.

4. The sport’s governing body and FOTA will meet again after the Brazilian Grand Prix to discuss measures to reduce costs related to chassis development and the continuation of the use of customer chassis in the future.

Snorrrrrrrring!

Except…, if I see the word “standard” in an F1 context once more I’m going to power puke.

Now it’s a “standard” KERS system Mosley is pimping. At which point does “Standard” crossover and mean Generic?

Or, when will Max offer to produce a generic driver?

Various reports had Schmi’s paycheck somewhere between 25-40 million per. Surely a Generic Driver could be offered ALL the teams at a considerable cost savings.

It might also help if Mosley would be given something to do other than screw with F1. I’d suggest a job offered by a doctor and resident of the aforementioned Terran Federation - “Counting the fuzz on a caterpillar by touch, maybe.”