WMSC Slaps (Spanks?) Down Mosley Spec Engine Plan
The world of Formula One on Friday agreed on a series of cost-cutting measures following a meeting of the FIA[sco] World Motor Sport Council in Monaco.
The sport’s governing body is clamping down on costs as Formula One struggles to survive amid the global credit crisis - but the meeting decided not to go ahead with a much-debated plan offered by Max “The Littlest Perv” Mosley to introduce a standard engine for all teams.
WMSC said a decision had been reached with unanimous support from the teams on how to trim spending for the 2009, which starts on March 29 in Melbourne, Australia.
Max “The Littlest Perv” Mosley (Also known as Spanky by some) president of FIA, had most notably proposed a single engine for all teams, made by Cosworth, and a standardized gearbox - but several teams (and a butt-load of fans and bloggers) were opposed.
Following are the agreed upon standards set for the 2009 & 2010 championship seasons.
Engine
• Engine life to be doubled. Each driver will use a maximum of eight engines for the season plus four for testing (thus 20 per team).
• Limit of 18,000 rpm.
• No internal re-tuning. Adjustment to trumpets and injectors only.
• The three-race rule voted on 5 November remains in force.
• Cost of engines to independent teams will be approximately 50% of 2008 prices.
• Unanimous agreement was reached on a list of proposed changes to the Renault engine for 2009; all other engines will remain unchanged. Comparative testing will not be necessary.
Testing
• No in-season testing except during race weekend during scheduled practice.
Aerodynamic research
• No wind tunnel exceeding 60% scale and 50 metres/sec to be used after 1 January 2009.
• A formula to balance wind tunnel-based research against CFD research, if agreed between the teams, will be proposed to the FIA.
Factory activity
• Factory closures for six weeks per year, to accord with local laws.
Race weekend
• Manpower to be reduced by means of a number of measures, including sharing information on tyres and fuel to eliminate the need for “spotters”.
Sporting spectacle
• Market research is being conducted to gauge the public reaction to a number of new ideas, including possible changes to qualifying and a proposal for the substitution of medals for points for the drivers. Proposals will be submitted to the FIA when the results of the market research are known.
Note: It is estimated that these changes for 2009 will save the manufacturer teams approximately 30% of their budgets compared to 2008, while the savings for independent teams will be even greater.
2010
Power train
• Engines will be available to the independent teams for less than €5 million per team per season. These will either come from an independent supplier or be supplied by the manufacturer teams backed by guarantees of continuity. If an independent supplier, the deal will be signed no later than 20 December 2008.
• This same engine 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.
Chassis
• A list of all elements of the chassis will be prepared and a decision taken in respect of each element as to whether or not it will remain a performance differentiator (competitive element).
• Some elements which remain performance differentiators will be homologated for the season.
• Some elements will remain performance differentiators, but use inexpensive materials.
• Elements which are not performance differentiators will be prescriptive and be obtained or manufactured in the most economical possible way.
Race weekend
• Standardised radio and telemetry systems.
• Ban on tyre warmers.
• Ban on mechanical purging of tyres.
• Ban on refueling.
• Possible reduction in race distance or duration (proposal to follow market research).
Factory activity
• Further restrictions on aerodynamic research.
• Ban on tyre force rigs (other than vertical force rigs).
• Full analysis of factory facilities with a view to proposing further restrictions on facilities.
Longer term
The FIA and FOTA will study the possibility of an entirely new power train for 2013 based on energy efficiency (obtaining more work from less energy consumed). Rules to be framed so as to ensure that research and development of such a power train would make a real contribution to energy-efficient road transport.
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. For 2010 FOTA is considering proposals for a standard KERS system. The FIA awaits proposals.
Related articles:
- FIA to unveil brave new world of Formula One
- Formula one: Lewis Hamilton calls it right as FIA fights shy of standard-engine requirement
- Max Mosley wins key F1 costs deal
- Hamilton opposes engines plan
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What makes me laugh about the manufacturers providing cheap engines, 5 Mill a pop, is that a few years back the same proposal was made (although supply never eventuated) & I distinctly remember Norbert Haug saying that it could not be done for under 10 Mil. I’m sure having to run the same lump for more races lowers the cost - but by half!
This goes to show just how desperate the manufacturers were to stop Max & his Cozzie plan. It is a kind of revenge of the nerds situation, in that the minnows & one auto blindsided the big fish. Historically the Spankmiester runs something abhorrent to the manufacturers, up the flag pole, only to have the teams agree to what he really wants.
As much as I would like to see Max packed off to the darkest regions of the uncivilized world, something had to be done to protect the sport & the autos from themselves. Exactly how these new measures will work, only time will tell. The huge reduction in testing must be causing concern for some of the teams. Not every car is quick out of the box & the first couple of weeks of the new season normally sees the teams frantically sorting out their new stead.
Only a few weeks ago I thought there would be nothing on the F1 radar until the week prior to Melbourne, & yet the most far reaching & profound impacts on the sports future were express delivered the moment after Honda hit the eject button. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, will another auto follow Honda, & who? George is tipping Renault, I’m highly suspicious of Toyota…….any other selections.
One final thought (Christ I’m being naive) with this mad rush to cut costs, & in keeping with the economic spirit, will Bernie be lowering the event staging fee? His ransom seems to rise each year & it’s going to be hard enough to find event title sponsors in the coming years e.g Fosters Melbourne GP, Santander British GP etc. Will Bernie be doing his bit for the good of the sport…………….like I said, I’m naive.
The standard engine provided by Cosworth will be available for 2010, provided 4 teams sign up. None of which will do so, because the auto guys will match the pricing and lock out Cozzy.
Time for a radical shift in F1 rules. Ban the auto makers from ownership of any team, allow them to supply engines only if they want to play in this arena. Get BMW, Toyota, Renault, and MB out of racing ownership. Give Ferrari an exemption based on historical competition.
Allow teams to acquire chassis any way they see fit; build them or buy them. Back to the roots of the series before Max and Bernie “improved” the racing.
George give Ferrari an exemption? Remind me who it was railing against Ferrari favoritism the last couple years.
That said I see your point, Ferrari isn’t exactly in the same league as the rest given the typr of specialized road cars they sell.
Peter, according to this other report The Gnome has said track fees won’t be reduced with so many places looking to hold an event.
George, give Ferrari an exemption?!!
I too chocked when I read that one…..although you are correct.
As I mentioned above, somebody may pull the plug before 09, however, buying Honda for a tocken pound (& $150 Mill of contracts) would be making a lot of sense to a group like Prodrive right now.
Re; my Ferrari exemption comment: Every lunatic has moments of lucidty.