The FIA has appointed automotive technology and engineering specialists Ricardo to provide technical support and advice on the development of future regulations in the FIA Formula One World Championship.

In particular, Ricardo will assist the FIA in the consideration and application of energy-saving and environmentally efficient technologies.

Ricardo is an international consultancy which provides extensive design and development support to the automotive industry. The company's engineering expertise ranges from vehicle systems integration, controls, electronics and software development, to the latest driveline and transmission systems and gasoline, diesel, hybrid and fuel cell powertrain technologies.

FIA President Max Mosley said: "The FIA is working closely with the automotive manufacturers to develop energy-efficient and environmentally relevant regulation changes for the future of Formula One. Ricardo has a vast amount of experience in automotive research and development and will be an invaluable addition to this process."

Ricardo CEO Dave Shemmans said: "We are proud to have been selected as a technology partner in this project. Formula One operates at the very pinnacle of motor sport and has a significant role to play in encouraging innovation in fuel-efficient technologies. Such innovation has the potential to provide benefits to automakers, race teams and motoring consumers alike."