The current Formula One manufacturers have come to an agreement to reduce the cost of a V6 Hybrid power unit considerably, and ensure that customer teams will not be left without an engine deal.
yeah it would help a whopping lot if they'd just add half an hour or a complete hour to the practice sessions and allowmclaren111 wrote:Make Friday an unlimited Test Day at every Grand Prix [-o< [-o< [-o<
Here's a pretty slick clip released by Mercedes showing side by side 2015/2017 chassis and aerodynamic changes.Autoweek To make the alternative engine happen, Todt and Ecclestone had to get it through the F1 Commission, where they, the teams and other interested parties -- elected promoters and sponsors -- have a vote. The numbers suggested that opposition from the teams would nix it.
Undaunted, the FIA recently issued a “call for expressions of interest,” the first stage of a tender process. This would at least prove that there were potential sources of the alternative engine. Four companies replied, namely Ilmor, Mecachrome (the GP2 supplier), AER (GP3 and Indy Lights) and RML Group.
This information was relayed at yesterday's F1 Commission meeting, where after a debate and to no one's great surprise, the idea of an alternative engine was not passed.
Instead, the manufacturers have agreed to a compromise and tackle the key issues that the alternative engine was supposed to address by coming up with their own ideas – but the FIA has stressed that the alternative is being kept in reserve, just in case.
Regarding the vote, the FIA noted today, “The meetings acknowledged the four credible Expressions of Interest made for the manufacture and supply of a less-expensive alternative customer engine.
“The F1 Commission voted not to pursue this option at this stage -- however, it may be reassessed after the power unit manufacturers have presented their proposal to the Strategy Group.”
They have to submit a proposal by Jan. 15, with the first meetings on the subject taking place in Abu Dhabi this week. The FIA has outlined the issues that the proposal has to consider: “The parties involved have agreed on a course to address several key areas relating to Power Unit supply in Formula One. These areas are:
-- Guarantee of the supply of power units to teams
-- The need to lower the cost of power units to customer teams
-- Simplification of the technical specification of the power units
-- Improved noise
“The manufacturers, in conjunction with the FIA, will present a proposal by Jan. 15 that will seek to provide solutions to the above concerns.
“The proposal will include the establishment of a minimum number of teams that a manufacturer must supply, ensuring that all teams will have access to a power unit.
“Measures will also be put forward to reduce the cost of the supply of hybrid power units for customer teams, as well as improving their noise.
“All stakeholders agreed that the developments will aim for the 2017 season at the earliest, and 2018 at the latest. The first meeting between the FIA and the power unit manufacturers on this topic will be held this week at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.”
Is this whole alternative engine saga just a ploy to wrestle power back from the manufacturers, by scaring them into submission with the threat of a cheaper but competitive engine that could make them look silly?
That's certainly one way to interpret this saga. If it works, and the manufacturers lower their prices to customers and make it easier for a team like Red Bull to secure a supply, then that can only be a good thing. Do we really want an F1 where teams are running to completely different rules? Most sensible people would say no.
The situation remains in a state of flux, and as noted, the FIA is keeping the alternative engine plan on the back burner just in case the manufacturers don't play ball. The potential suppliers, all of whom applied in good faith, will have to wait and see if one of them is actually needed, or if they have all been wasting their time. It will be fascinating to see how it all pans out.
#aerogollumturbof1 wrote: YOU SHALL NOT......STALLLLL!!!
