15/01/2016
NEWS STORY
FIA president Jean Todt is confident that a solution to F1's engine saga is in sight.
Like a London bus - of which it is said you wait ages for one then three come along at once - after months and months of silence, Jean Todt appears to be taking an interest in F1 again.
The sport's governing body is currently waiting on the engine manufacturers to come up with their own solution to the engine crisis that dominated the sport for much of last year.
Other than Red Bull being refused a (current) engine supply by both Mercedes and Ferrari, there is concern at the cost of power units.
Mercedes and Ferrari were quick to point out that they run a business and therefore their engines must be priced accordingly. However, the FIA, in league with the Commercial Rights Holder, reacted by trying to introduce an independent supplier who could provide an alternative, cheaper power unit for those that want it.
The proposal was subsequently thrown out by the manufacturers at which point the FIA said they must therefore come up with an alternative plan by mid-January or they would press ahead with the independent engine option.
Speaking ahead of the deadline, Todt is confident a solution will be found.
"They are going to make some proposals by tonight," he told reporters in Birmingham. "I have proposals on most of the items which I feel are going in the right direction.
"On Monday afternoon we have a Strategy Group meeting in Geneva and the day after we have the F1 Commission in Geneva, so that's where we are," he added. "I think we are very close."