OCTOBER 22, 2004

Arbitration is still on course

The engine manufacturers who are opposed to Max Mosley's plans to introduce 2.4-litre V8 engines in 2006 say that they are going to push ahead with the arbitration claim and that the FIA's latest engine rules do nothing to change the situation.

The engine manufacturers who are opposed to Max Mosley's plans to introduce 2.4-litre V8 engines in 2006 say that they are going to push ahead with the arbitration claim and that the FIA's latest engine rules do nothing to change the situation.

"Generally we are supportive of extending the life of engines," said BMW's Mario Theissen. "We are prepared to accept two-race engines and we might even go further but we think the idea of changing engines before the start of a race is smart. That way you have to keep the engine running for 1500km and if you run out of engine, you have to stop testing. We believe that extending engine life will reduce costs. But the legal argument over the V10s is still there."

Mercedes-Benz was not willing to comment but Honda's Otmar Szafnauer says that Honda is still supporting the arbitration claim.

"From a technical perspective we are just against all design restrictions and particularly anything that defines such things as bore size, weight, cylinder spacing and so on. We are completely against it and we will fight it in the proper way. Technically we have nothing against 2.4-litre V8 engines. Indeed we think that we have a good history with racing V8s and we think we can gain an advantage from it. However we think it will damage the high technical standing of F1 and that is why we are against 2.4-litre V8s."

Toyota says that it will accept V8 engines even if the company is against all artificial restrictions. Toyota boss John Howett said the decision to switch to two-race engines means that the company will be willing to supply one other team in 2005.

"It is open to anyone who wants to apply," said Howett. "We only have the capacity to do one supply. We will charge 10-12m Euros but that really depends on exactly what the customer wants to have."