F1 Manufacturers Snub Alternative Engine Proposal

Shortly after their rejection of a proposal to launch an alternative engine, F1 manufacturers have agreed to devise a plan to reduce the cost of power units and ensure no team is left without one.

In a statement, the International Automobile Federation (FIA ) revealed that there had been four credible expressions of interest from firms interested in supplying a cheaper alternative engine from 2017. However, the proposal failed to get approval at the recently held meetings at the FIA’s Paris headquarters.

According to FIA, the F1 Commission voted not to follow this option at this stage, but it may be reevaluated after the Power Unit manufacturers have presented their proposal to the Strategy Group. It said that the discussions in the Strategy Group, which comprises the six premier teams as well as commercial rights holder and governing body and wider Formula One commission, were ‘constructive’.

Formula One has four engine manufacturers—Ferrari, Mercedes, Honda and Renault with the first two way ahead of the others—supplying the ten teams.

FIA remarked that the parties involved have agreed on a course to address a number of key areas relating to Power Unit supply in Formula One. It listed the four key items as a reduction of the cost for customer teams, a guaranteed supply, enhanced noise and simplification of the technical specification.

In 2014, the current 1.6 liter V6 turbo hybrid power units were launched as replacement for the old 2.4 liter V8s. While more fuel efficient, they are also quieter and more intricate and expensive.

FIA confirmed that the manufacturers, in conjunction with them, would present a proposal by the 15th of January next year, that would seek to offer solutions to the above concerns. To be included in the proposal is the establishment of a minimum number of teams that a manufacture should supply, ensuring that all teams would have access to a Power Unit. Measures would also be put forward to cut the cost of the supply of hybrid Power Units for customer teams, as well as to enhance their noise.

The FIA revealed that all parties had agreed to try and implement the change for the 2017 season at the earliest and 2018 at the latest.