Twice fewer engines per season by 2015
In an interview with Autosport, Jean Todt, president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, states that in order to reduce costs, drivers will only be allowed to use four engines per season starting in 2015. The Frenchman also does not rule out allowing engine manufacturers to supply their engines to as many teams as they wish, compared to three currently.
As the economic and financial crisis seems more relevant than ever, the thorny issue of cost reduction in Formula One comes to the forefront. While the awareness of the need to reduce costs is not new among teams, their attempts have not yet truly borne the expected fruits, largely due to rivalries between teams that make any compromise difficult. Team principals, notably Luca di Montezemolo, are calling on the FIA to help them find ways to reduce costs: “We are discussing this as ten out of the twelve teams have asked us to control costs,” assures Jean Todt, FIA president, to Autosport. “Damien Clermont, the FIA’s chief administrative officer, is discussing with the heads of the twelve teams regarding the chassis costs and with all engine manufacturers regarding the engine costs. This follows the meeting I had with all the teams on the Monday after the Monaco Grand Prix.”
Main concern for some teams, the costs associated with the change of engine in 2014, with the transition to the new V6 turbo engine: « It’s true that the overall cost will be higher [in 2014], but it’s also true that the FIA has been in discussions with the engine manufacturers to reduce the costs. For example, we have already approved the reduction in the number of units per season. From eight engines per season per driver in 2012, we will reduce to five engines per driver in 2014, then four per driver in 2015. »
Moreover, while currently engine manufacturers are only allowed to supply three teams, unless expressly authorized by the FIA, Renault recently indicated that by allowing engine manufacturers to equip as many teams as they wished, this could help limit the impact of development costs, an idea that Jean Todt does not rule out: « For the moment, the plan is to continue to apply the current rule, but of course, if we need to adapt to a particular situation, we will consider it. It is up to the FIA president to make a proposal to the World Council. » Indeed, for the rule to be applicable, the presence of four engine manufacturers is required, which is currently the case. Ferrari, Mercedes, and Renault are already working on their respective engines, and while there is significant uncertainty surrounding the presence of Cosworth beyond 2013, the PURE project, led by Craig Pollock, claims to be already well advanced. Therefore, the rule will theoretically only change if Cosworth withdraws and the PURE project fails, which would leave Ferrari, Mercedes, and Renault as the only available engine manufacturers.
