28/09/2012
NEWS STORY
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A new twist in the saga surrounding Lewis Hamilton has come to light and it is one which could affect much more in F1 than the career of Mercedes' new driver.
Reporting in the Hindustan Times, the second most widely read English newspaper in India, Pitpass' business editor Christian Sylt reveals that controversial environmentally-friendly new engines which are due to be introduced to F1 in 2014 are likely to be scrapped.
The new engine regulations were developed by the FIA, and they involve replacing the current 2.4-litre V8s with more environmentally friendly 1.6-litre turbo-charged V6 engines.
The new engine regulations are understood to be at the heart of Hamilton's decision to move to Mercedes. McLaren has won five races this year alone whereas Mercedes has only won one race since it took over its team at the end of 2009. It has been widely reported that the change in engine regulations would give Mercedes an opportunity to improve performance as it would be a fresh start for the team.
"Hamilton has clearly gambled on the capitalising on new engine regulations in 2014, when a 1.6-litre V6 turbo will be introduced," claimed the Daily Telegraph today. "Mercedes, as one of the sport's manufacturer teams, are expected to throw everything at that season." It doesn't look like they will get a chance to do this.
"I listened to the noise of the engines in Maranello the other day, the new engine and the old engine, and even Luca di Montezemolo said it sounded terrible and didn't like it," says Bernie Ecclestone. He adds that he thinks FIA president Jean Todt "will get rid of it. I think Luca is also saying we should suspend it for two or three years. I think it is sensible to get rid of it and stick with what we have got. It is much cheaper than the new one. It probably could be 30% of the price."
There is plenty of precedent for the FIA proposing technology which is never introduced. In 2005 it announced that it had developed a radical rear wing which was split in the middle in order to improve overtaking. This was due to be introduced to F1 cars in 2008 but was put back a year and never saw the light of day.
The Formula One Promoters Association (FOPA), which represents all of the circuits, last year threatened to drop F1 over fears that the new engines could make the cars could sound so different that it would drive spectators away.
The circuits dropped their threat after the FIA agreed to raise the power of the engine from its original proposal of 1.6-litre V4s. It isn't the only change which has already been made to the engine proposal as it was revealed last year that it would not include cars running on electric power in the pitlane as originally envisaged.
FOPA's chairman Ron Walker says that "the circuits would be appalled if they went ahead with that new engine now, particularly if there is no guarantee the sound will be the same. The circuits will all support Bernie in his quest to keep the same engine because it will mean great savings in the cost burden of running the sport."
It is understood that at least one manufacturer could leave F1 due to the new engine formula being scrapped but Ecclestone says "it is possible other manufacturers could come in over the next few years. It is not a necessity to get more engine manufacturers."
He adds "I blame the FIA for this stupid engine formula" but stresses that it is not Todt's doing. "It really wasn't his fault. [Former FIA president Max Mosley] started the engine and then he got carried away...Todt really hasn't interfered with us. He has been travelling the world and seeing all the different federations but he hasn't bothered us."
Ecclestone also reveals that Todt has asked him and the teams for an increase in the fees paid to the FIA so that it can use the money to move into more prestigious headquarters and give it a comparable stature to FIFA and the IOC - the federations which govern football and the Olympics respectively. "The FIA want more money from anybody," says Ecclestone.
The FIA gets fees from several sources in F1. The biggest is an annual amount of £6.1m from the F1 Group which is run by Ecclestone and manages the rights to the sport. The FIA is also believed to get an additional sum of around £200,000 per race if there are more than 16 such as this year when there are 20.
In addition, the FIA gets fees from the teams and it wants to raise them to increase its revenues. This would see the entry fee for the teams increasing from £246,000 to £400,000 plus £5,500 per constructors' championship point. Had the new rate been implemented this year, it would have meant that world champions Red Bull Racing would have paid nearly £4m rather than £245,000 to enter the 2012 season.
The FIA's annual budget comes to around £40m and Ecclestone says "they are getting about $35m (£21.7m) from Formula 1...I think they would be happy if they could get $50m (£30.1m)."
The FIA's current headquarters is on the historic Place de la Concorde in central Paris but Ecclestone says "I think they want to have a more impressive building and establishment. If you look at the IOC, if you look at FIFA, they have all got nice big offices."
Surprisingly, despite being a notorious cost-cutter, Ecclestone sympathises with Todt and says "I think it is nice if we have a federation that is seen to be strong and impressive. They can't demand money from us because they have got no right. It is a case of whether we want to make a contribution to help them build the FIA. If they really need the money we probably will help."