The standard engine advances

The FIA is likely to confirm the standardization of engines in F1 from 2010 after five teams, including Renault, reportedly expressed interest in the proposal.

FIA President Max Mosley has given the teams until Thursday afternoon to return their response on whether or not they approve the specification of the Cosworth engine starting from 2010.

In a letter sent to the teams last week, Max Mosley said that the decision would be adopted if a minimum of four teams sign a contract for a duration of 3 years with a deposit of 1.97 million euros and an annual cost of 6.42 million euros.

Although there has been no official confirmation from the FIA, Max Mosley stated last Friday that he had been contacted by three teams, and investigations have revealed that half of the teams would now be interested.

A favorable interest is said to have been expressed by Williams and Force India, as well as Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso.

But the biggest surprise is that the French car manufacturer Renault would also have a favorable interest in supplying a standard engine.

Would such a decision by the manufacturer reveal a poor financial health to ensure the team’s survival? But above all, from a sporting and commercial standpoint, what interests would the French manufacturer have in staying if it no longer develops its own engines?

However, if the single engine is introduced in Formula 1, Max Mosley specified that teams would remain free to design their own engine, provided its performance level matches that of the standard engine. A clause in the contract presumably to avoid losing leading teams like Ferrari, which has already issued threats of withdrawal.

Max Mosley is to meet with FOTA representatives in Monaco this Wednesday to discuss the latest ideas that could be implemented to reduce costs as early as 2009.

The FIA World Motor Sport Council will meet on Friday. The meeting is expected to confirm FOTA’s proposals to reduce costs as well as the introduction of the standard engine.