FEBRUARY 10, 2003

Mosley pushes on

The FIA has written to each of the Formula 1 teams pointing out that the changes resulting from the January 15 meeting are of a long-term nature and that they should be considered as a package. The FIA says that although there are currently seven manufacturer teams in the sport that could change as manufacturers have a habit of coming and going which means that in order to achieve long-term stability for the sport independent teams need to be allowed to survive.

"Unlike a manufacturer, an independent team cannot just stop racing, because to do so would be to close its business," Mosley wrote. "Thus the way to guarantee the long-term health and stability of the Championship is to make sure there is a solid group of independent teams which do not depend on the presence of the manufacturers for their survival."

Mosley added that the important thing is to keep down the costs of going racing by eliminating unnecessary and complex equipment and procedures, by requiring long-life components and by allowing teams to use components constructed by others.

Mosley said that with the cuts he is suggesting a major manufacturer could supply the entire F1 field with engines in 2006 at the same cost as one team in 2003. The way this will be achieved will be with the six-race engine which would still be able to produce 700 horsepower.

"Despite a reduction in engine costs of more than 90%, no-one in the grandstands or watching on television will notice the slightest difference," Mosley says. Mosley says that the only real problem with the six-race engine is finding a well-balanced scale of penalties for premature engine change.

Mosley also argues that the changes will produce safer cars because parts designed to last for six races will be stronger than those designed to last for just one event.

Mosley said that he would also like to introduce a list of permitted materials for the construction of components which would oblige teams to use inexpensive materials to produce parts which will ultimately reduce the cost of going racing. It would also create a technical challenge which would be relevant to the automobile industry which cannot use expensive materials in production vehicles.

Mosley says that if the measures are adopted it will be possible for the sport to continue with 10-12 teams at "a very high level" without the sport being affected by "the comings and goings of the major car manufacturers" and the independent teams would be able to compete with the bigger operations and perhaps even win races.

"If major car manufacturers decide to enter Formula 1 and spend large sums producing very high technology engines and chassis," Mosley wrote, "the only way to stop this eventually putting the independent teams out of business is to introduce regulations which make it expedient for each manufacturer to supply its chassis and engines to other teams at fully affordable prices."

Mosley concluded by asking the teams for "a constructive dialogue" on the medium and long-term future of F1 and asked them to consider a meeting to discuss these issues at some point in the near future.