[beriarele]

FIA president Max Mosley has moved in the wake of Honda's Formula One exit to lay out the terms for a drastically cheaper engine offer from Cosworth that will help reduce costs in the sport.
On the same day that F1 lost a major manufacturer, Mosley has written to teams explaining his vision for how a deal with the famed Northampton engine supplier can help bring budgets down substantially.
He has revealed that the FIA are now in exclusive talks with Cosworth about a deal for teams from 2010 that could result in an annual engine and transmission cost of less than £6 million.
Mosley says that as long as four teams sign up for a supply of engines from 2010, then the annual charge for a three-year deal will be just £5.49 million - with an upfront fee of £1.68 million. If more teams sign up, then the cost will be reduced further.
In a letter sent to F1 teams on Friday, just a few hours after Honda cited the worldwide financial downturn as forcing it to quit F1, Mosley outlined his plans for a standard engine - and made it clear that manufacturers would not be forced to run them.
The tender process for standard engines ended last month and after evaluating the options, the FIA has opted to press ahead with Cosworth. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72324

[wmirkru]

I suppose that IF were are going to have a standard engine forced upon us (and I still refuse to believe it), Cosworth are the best option.

They've got a long and noble history of providing good quality race engines; and not being associated with any current team will help quell accusations of bias.

[bribiaLaubysdggf]

It's an interesting suggestion, particularly the point where they've specifically stated they aren't going to force this on the teams. Even if just one team signs up (and I'm putting my bet on Williams) it'll still surely save them money?

[vSzsgifP]

Ferrari-Cosworth doesn't really have much of a ring to it though......

[irrascaft]

Although the idea of a standard engine had prompted quit threats from several manufacturers, Mosley has clarified that teams will not be forced to run the power units if they do not want to. THIS makes so much sense....and what should have been suggested instead of the "standard engine" in the first place.



.....

However, he has made it clear that any engine that car makers produce themselves will not be allowed to have better performance than the standard unit. THIS however...is a horribly, horribly grey area and should be completely forgotten about...we're getting into NASCARisation territory here.


Personally I think a "standard" Cosworth should be made available for private teams wishing to get onto the back of the F1 grid (better than not at all, right?) on a budget, while letting the better funded teams get on with it....it's the way F1 worked for so long!

[agildeta]

Max has made a searching, and and honest moral proposal.
Ferrari won't buy it.
Next?

[quorceopporce]

Personally I think a "standard" Cosworth should be made available for private teams wishing to get onto the back of the F1 grid (better than not at all, right?) on a budget, while letting the better funded teams get on with it....it's the way F1 worked for so long!

But who is to say that Cosworth couldn't develop that engine into the best on the grid? I could see those teams who don't want to run a standard engine being up in arms, and quite rightly.

The equalisation idea is absolutely absurd and has no place in F1.

[irrascaft]

On second thoughts....will the people on here who suggested the original forced "standard engine" proposal was merely a ploy to get the teams to accept something less drastic...stand up and take a bow?

[quorceopporce]

Max has made a searching, and and honest moral proposal.
Ferrari won't buy it.
Next?

But Ferrari wouldn't have to buy it, and I hope they stand their ground.

If Cosworth can produce this package so cheaply, other engine suppliers/manufacturers ought to be able to.

[wmirkru]

On second thoughts....will the people on here who suggested the original forced "standard engine" proposal was merely a ploy to get the teams to accept something less drastic...stand up and take a bow?

I stand by that view. There's still plenty of time for the teams and FIA to agree on drastic cost-cutting measures which would allow them to continue producing their own drivetrains and keeping F1 vaguely recognisable as the same sport we've known for half a century.

[irrascaft]

But who is to say that Cosworth couldn't develop that engine into the best on the grid? I could see those teams who don't want to run a standard engine being up in arms, and quite rightly.

The equalisation idea is absolutely absurd and has no place in F1.

Cosworth couldn't develop that engine into the best on the grid because they wouldn't have the funding of the manufacturer teams. And if they could despite that obstacle then they deserve any success they get - it's what motor sport should be all about - look at the DFV era.

What I'm saying is that free development should be allowed, but a cheaper customer option such as this could be great for getting more private teams onto the back of the grid. Max, that is where your "cost cutting" should be aimed, not a communist style "everyone is equal (of course with some more equal than others) proposal.

[quorceopporce]

I stand by that view. There's still plenty of time for the teams and FIA to agree on drastic cost-cutting measures which would allow them to continue producing their own drivetrains and keeping F1 vaguely recognisable as the same sport we've known for half a century.

Hence my comment above.

[DfrtYhyu]

There is no point for a manufacturer to stay in F1.

Even if they decide to build their Cosworth rebadged engine or continue to use their own one, it will have to have identical power output at most with the Cosworth unit.

If they use their own, they will have to use the standard transmission.

Bye, bye Toyota, mercedes, BMW etc.

Where do Ferrari go?

[quorceopporce]

Cosworth couldn't develop that engine into the best on the grid because they wouldn't have the funding of the manufacturer teams. And if they could despite that obstacle then they deserve any success they get - it's what motor sport should be all about - look at the DFV era.

Agreed, but...

What I'm saying is that free development should be allowed, but a cheaper customer option such as this could be great for getting more private teams onto the back of the grid.

...what happens when they get onto the back of the grid? Yes, progress can be made in other areas of car development, but in order to move up the grid it follows that they would need to get a better engine, which would cost more, and then we go into the same spiral of increasing costs - unless other suppliers can deliver an engine package for the same price as Cosworth, which is surely the best solution to the problem.

I think this could prove a clever move by the FIA, and maybe the right one in terms of bringing about cost reductions without enforcing a standard engine.

[quorceopporce]

There is no point for a manufacturer to stay in F1.

Even if they decide to build their Cosworth rebadged engine or continue to use their own one, it will have to have identical power output at most with the Cosworth unit.

If they use their own, they will have to use the standard transmission.

Bye, bye Toyota, mercedes, BMW etc.

Where do Ferrari go?

They have to make a better engine than the Cosworth 'standard one'. If there is a budget cap on engine development, they would just have to do so within those confines; if not, it's up to them how much they spend. I think this proposal still allows room for Ferrari and their ilk.

[DfrtYhyu]

They have to make a better engine than the Cosworth 'standard one'. If there is a budget cap on engine development, they would just have to do so within those confines; if not, it's up to them how much they spend. I think this proposal still allows room for Ferrari and their ilk.

You can spend £100M on developing a Ferrari but it will not be allowed to have better performance than the Cossie (allegedly)

It also has to be coupled with the standard drive further limiting it.

Think about it as 7 of 9 operating independently while still part of the collective

[agildeta]

But who is to say that Cosworth couldn't develop that engine into the best on the grid? I could see those teams who don't want to run a standard engine being up in arms, and quite rightly.

The equalisation idea is absolutely absurd and has no place in F1.

Once again BDun' You are spot on

[agildeta]

Think about it as 7 of 9 operating independently while still part of the collective

In the words of the most hated man of the 21st century
"BRING IT ON"

[quorceopporce]

You can spend £100M on developing a Ferrari but it will not be allowed to have better performance than the Cossie (allegedly)

And that's the bit I object to.

[awagsFare]

F1 is finished if they go ahead with this solution. As many have said. It will surely mean the end for Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Renault and possibly Ferrari, who have already threatened to leave the sport.

This is like watching a slow agonizing death for the sport. My only hope is that they all pull out and form their own racing series. It might not be called F1, but we will surely know it as the pinnacle of motorsports.

F1 had a solid 70 year run and now like relics of the past will fade away. Sadly not by the evolutuion of sports/entertainment but by the greed and absurdity of 2 men. one blinded by greed, the other deranged by his own dellusions of granduer.

As I said I don't mind the sport going on hiatus for 1-2 years as these teams figure out a new league and decent regulations. Deep down I got to beleive that McLaren, Ferrari, BMW, Williams, Renault and RBR are far from pleased with the state of affairs and have just about had it with the whole circus.