The FIA said that plans for a reduced-cost customer engine for 2017 had attracted four interested, credible parties, but that the option would not be pursued – with the situation to be reassessed after proposals from the engine manufacturers had been presented.
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However, the F1 Commission opposed the plans at a Strategy Group meeting in Paris on Tuesday and the four manufacturers instead agreed to come up with their own proposal to address important issues.
With the FIA and FOM each holding six votes, the six teams on the Strategy Group have one apiece, consequently they can never out-vote the powers that be.
Ferrari’s decision to veto a planned ¬12 million cost cap on customer engines prompted the FIA to pursue a cheaper alternative in an attempt to balance the budgets for smaller teams.
A statement on the FIA website said: “The parties involved have agreed on a course to address several key areas relating to Power Unit supply in Formula One”.
The current 1.6 litre V6 turbo hybrid power units were introduced past year to replace the old 2.4 litre V8s. It is hoped these developments will be ready for the 2017 season at the earliest and certainly in time for 2018.
He revealed that the engine manufacturers will begin to discuss the proposal this weekend in Abu Dhabi.
Within the proposal, there will be a rule that stipulates a minimum number of teams a manufacturer must supply, ensuring all teams have access to an engine.
With FIA president Jean Todt most concerned about costs, another issue is guaranteeing supply for teams like Red Bull while Bernie Ecclestone wants simpler technology and more noise.
The FIA has confirmed that its plans for an alternative engine for 2017 have been rejected by the F1 Commission.
The statement said the manufacturers would “present a proposal by 15 January 2016 that will seek to provide solutions to the above concerns”.
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The move by the FIA, which has more than a hint of Max Mosley about it, suggests that whilst the engine manufacturers have won the battle, in terms of the Formula One Commission’s rejection, the subsequent pincer movement looks likely to sees the FIA and Ecclestone win the war.
