11/11/2004
NEWS STORY
BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen is fully behind the current move to cut costs, and hopes that Ferrari will join the nine other teams and agree to reduce testing.
Speaking at a conference in Germany, Theissen said: "I certainly hope they will join because it absolutely makes sense to restrict testing. If you look at the mileage we cover during a year, 80% of it is testing, 20% is practising and racing.
"You need a lot of engines to cover that amount of mileage and the engine is the most expensive part of the car," he continued, "so restricting testing is a very good way to cut costs, and this is why we support it.
"We would certainly not be the first team to run out of money but it absolutely makes sense and it doesn't make sense to waste money. Covering 80 percent of the mileage at the test tracks means hiding the show from the spectators."
At present, BMW is one of the manufacturers leading the resistance against the FIA's proposal to introduce a 2.4 litre V8 format for 2006, a move which will clearly drive up costs in the short-term. BMW, along with Honda and Mercedes has warned that it would be prepared leave F1 if the FIA goes ahead with its plans to introduce the format in 2006, and is already known to be considering taking the FIA to arbitration over the issue.
On the other hand, FIA president Max Mosley might give some leeway should the manufacturers show themselves more willing to supply (reasonably priced) packages to second teams.
"That would be possible," said Theissen. "It isn't our intention at the moment but from the capacity side it would become possible.
"We are in very intense discussions this week and probably next week," he added, referring to the threat to take the FIA to arbitration over the new engine format ruling, "and by then we should know what to do about it.
"We want to see Formula One being a strong and stable racing series in 10 years and to achieve that it has to be worth the money spent," he continued. "And that's why we're absolutely joining the cost-cutting measures.
"We have entered this sport on the basis of the current situation so we are prepared to spend the money it takes to be top in Formula One today," he added. "But we think it's absolutely reasonable to review the cost and to cut it."