18/07/2006
NEWS STORY
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With no mutually acceptable agreement on the engine freeze situation in sight, the FIA has played a new trump card, invoking Article 7.5 of the Concorde Agreement, which allows it to make rapid changes to the sport's technical and sporting regulations on grounds of safety.
Article 7.5 was previously invoked in order to push through the move from the 3 litre V10 formula to the 2.4 litre V8 version.
The FIA is invoking Article 7.5 claiming that engine development must be capped in 2007 for safety reasons, namely to end ever increasing cornering speeds.
In a press release issued by the FIA on July 5, the World Motor Sport Council stated that "due to a significant increase in cornering speeds in Formula One this season, the World Motor Sport Council agreed to consult with the Formula One Technical Working Group regarding possible measures to slow the cars".
This followed concerns raised by a number of drivers regarding an increase in cornering speeds, which at some circuits amounted to as much as 22 mph (35 kph).
The Technical Working Group duly discussed the issue, and agreed that "speeds had increased considerably".
It was proposed that cornering speeds could be limited in two ways, by capping engine development, and also the switch to a sole tyre supplier and the subsequent issue of a 'conservative' choice of tyre.
As the argument over the engine freeze rages on - albeit it behind closed doors - and with all manner of deadlines passed, the FIA has opted for what is clearly a second front, a 'safety net' if you will, and has pounced on the engine development capping proposal.
However, it must be remembered that Max Mosley has often cited the tyre war a major reason for the increase in cornering speeds, and the move to a control tyre was done on safety, as well as cost, grounds.
Furthermore though, let us not forget that the 2.4 litre V8 formula was introduced for cost and safety reasons - indeed, as we have already pointed out, that is when Article 7.5 was last invoked - yet cornering speeds have increased nonetheless, despite there being more than 200 bhp less available.
That said, the Technical Working Group will now have to decide on a set of proposals, failing which the FIA will come with its own.
Then again, with the FIA proving that there is clearly more than one way of skinning a cat - sorry to all our feline readers and friends - perhaps an amicable solution will be found to the engine freeze and fighting fund saga.