Formula One Releases Cost-Cutting Details

Today’s meeting of the FIA World Motorsport Council in Monaco has resulted in the agreement of several new measures, though Max Mosley’s controversial standardised engine policy did not make the final cut. 2009 will see lower cost engines, lasting twice as long, while in 2010 there will be a ban on refuelling and Grand Prix could be made shorter, “subject to market research”. Overall, the FIA believes that the new measures should save teams around 30 per cent of their 2008 budgets.

In terms of tyres, race weekends will now see the teams sharing information, “eliminating the need for ‘spotters’,” says the FIA press release. There will also be the ban on tyre warmers – a measure that was already in place before the meeting – and the mechanical purging of tyres. From 2010, there will also be a ban on “tyre force rigs (other than vertical force rigs).”

While engines will not be standardised, the FIA is to use standardised radio and telemetry systems from 2010, while it also plans to compose a standard parts list for the chassis. The body will also research the possibility of standardising transmission, with a view to introducing the rule in 2010. Engines will be limited to eight per driver for the season, while another four can be used for testing. They will also be limited to 18,000 revs per minute. From 2010, the same engine will be used for three seasons.

The press release also opens the door for a new energy efficient development in 2013, with the FIA and Formula One Teams’ Association investigating new, more eco-friendly engine and transmission options.