24/10/2015
NEWS STORY
Bernie Ecclestone has revealed that the FIA is to tender for an independent engine supplier for 2017.
The move comes at a time Red Bull and its sister team Toro Rosso is struggling to find a power unit having turned its back on Renault, been turned down by Mercedes and Ferrari and seemingly vetoed by McLaren in terms of Honda.
It also comes days after Max Mosley warned that the engine manufacturers now control the sport and at a time Ecclestone is seeking to move away from the new hybrid formula.
Speaking at the weekend, Mosley and Ecclestone both sung the praises of Cosworth and Mecachrome, yearning for the days of the independent manufacturer who could supply teams with economically priced alternatives to those offered by the majors.
"The FIA will put out a press release on Monday or Tuesday," Ecclestone told reporters in Austin. "They will probably have more power and use more fuel. It means, I suppose, that there would be regulation changes, which have already been anticipated for 2017 so there's nothing new."
When it was suggested that the move would see a two-tier grid, the F1 supremo was quick to dismiss the idea.
"We used to have people running turbo engines and people running normally aspirated engines," he said. "That wasn't a two-tier system, it was a choice. Whatever it is, I anticipate they will continue running their engine and the others the other engine."
Asked whether the move was merely a scheme to get the major manufacturers to reduce the cost of their engines, he said: "Not really, it’s very simple. If we don't, we'll probably lose a few teams.
"It's nothing to do with us what people charge,” he added. "We have no control, and don't want it. They can charge what they like. What is being introduced will be an awful lot cheaper than what it currently costs.
"There's a couple of interested parties on the horizon," he revealed, admitting that Cosworth is one of them.
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