Although not officially confirming the news, Briatore insisted that Renault will take under consideration cutting the costs in the engine compartment starting next season. The French manufacturer is allegedly considering cutting down the funding towards their F1 team following team's poor performances in the past 2 years.
“I think we are in a very difficult position economically, what is going on around the globe and it's a panic at the moment. Formula One is not immune from this panic. I believe our chairman and everybody is very sensitive as to what happens in Formula One as well.”
“Regarding the question of the engines, sure we need to cut the costs but for me, all this discussion about Formula One engines, already today, with frozen engines, theoretically there is no development. I don't understand all the time how it's surprising when people are talking about engine development. Whatever proposal we put together, we need to take into consideration this as well,” had insisted Briatore after the season finale at Interlagos.
Earlier this month, FIA president Max Mosley announced he has reached an agreement with British engine supplier Cosworth for a standard power train beginning 2010. Formula One manufacturers are not obliged to use the Cosworth unit in the near future, on the condition they will develop an engine with the same level of performance. They will, however, have to sign up for the standard XT transmission.
A few more cost cutting proposals are due to be discussed later today, during the Mosley – FOTA meeting in Monaco.
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