MAY 24, 2008

FIA tries to unfreeze engines

The Formula 1 manufacturers and the FIA agreed a few months ago to freeze Formula 1 engines until 2013. At Monaco there was an FIA poposal to move the goalposts and reduce the freeze until 2011.

The idea was rejected by the manufacturers because they have made their plans and budgets for the next few years and moving the end of the freeze would mean a need for immediate investment to get new engines built in time for the start of the 2011 season.

The key point of interest is why such a change was suddenly proposed. There are two schools of thought on this: the first is that the recent rise in the price of oil has caused the federation to explore quicker ways in which the FIA can switch F1 to a more pro-active role in the development of energy-saving technologies; the second is that Max Mosley was hoping for a quick deal to present to the General Assembly to show that despite the scandal he is still able to operate effectively in F1 circles.