“We must stabilize the system with a base engine which anyone can have and which is inexpensive, as well as a standard gearbox. That will stabilize Formula One until we can bring in new energy-efficient engines which undoubtedly will be the future.”
“But I would hate anyone to think that we want Formula One to lose sight of one of its main objectives, which is to remain the pinnacle of motor racing technology. If properly managed the regulations will ensure that this continues to be the case,” insisted Mosley ahead of his meeting with the F1 teams.
Mosley revealed earlier this month that he has reached an agreement with British engine suppliers Cosworth for a standard power train (engine and gearbox) by 2010, priced at £6 million. However, should more than 4 teams sign up for the standard unit, the British company is willing to sell the power plants at a lower price.
Mosley insisted F1 manufacturers will not be obliged to purchase the Cosworth unit, on the condition they will develop an in-house engine delivering the same amount of performance. All F1 teams will, however, have to use the standard XT transmission starting 2010. This being said, it is expected that at least 4 F1 teams – namely the independent ones – will opt for a standard engine provided by FIA.
Renault are also believed to choose in favor of the Cosworth unit following today's meeting, according to most sources in the Italian media. However, the French manufacturer issued a statement earlier today, insisting they will stick with whatever FOTA decides on Wednesday, while also saying that neither Renault nor Flavio Briatore have made a decision on the matter.
Mosley concluded his short statement by slamming the teams that lobbied for a delay in introducing the brand new KERS technology starting 2009.
“Some manufacturers have risen to this challenge, one manufacturer has produced electric systems which will astonish people when they appear, another team is working on a completely new technology which will also astonish people. But some leading teams, such as Ferrari, have said that they don't like KERS because it is 'too complicated'. Could you imagine the great F1 engineers like Chapman or Duckworth saying 'I can't do that because it is too complicated'? It is a symptom of a disease in F1 where incremental change becomes the whole object of the exercise and real serious innovation plays no part.”
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