23/04/2004
NEWS STORY
As previously reported, Max Mosley has told teams that he wants to see a radical change within F1 in terms of costs and their consequent knock-on effect in terms of the quality of racing, the gap between the haves and have nots and the absence of new teams.
Therefore the FIA President has called a meeting of Formula One's top engineers, representing the constructors and engine manufacturers for what he terms a "brainstorming session".
Although Mosley wants to hear what those at the cutting edge have to say, it's understood that he has a few radical plans of his own. It's understood that these include:
Having one sole tyre supplier, thus ridding F1 of the so-called tyre war.
Reduction of engine size and power. It's understood that he's looking at introducing a 2.4 litre V8 format, with a power output of around 700 bhp. These engines would have to last for two race weekends.
The banning of exotic materials
A serious cut back on computer technology, resulting (hopefully) in a back-to-basics approach.
The banning, or at least serious reduction, of private testing.
The banning of spare cars.
It's understood that Mosley is hoping to force through some of these proposals before the current Concorde Agreement runs out in 2007.
On Thursday evening, Mosley is understood to have handed out a document containing his proposals to the team principals, who are understood to have been shocked by its contents. Basically, Mosley is planning the biggest overhaul of the sport in its 55-year history.
Power-steering, traction control and automatic gearboxes would be out, while mechanical gearboxes and gearshifts could return. Essentially Mosley is looking to put the car back into the control of the driver rather than the boffins, something that many F1 fans have been calling for, for many years.
Mosley knows that capping budgets would be impossible, however reducing the gadgetry on which the money is spent, might be an ideal way to circumvent the problem.
Team bosses and manufacturers are sure to be unhappy with the proposals - though Mosley will be more than happy to hear their suggestions - however the stark reality is that F1 cannot continue as is. It is time for all those involved to pull their heads out of the sand and realise what is happening.