2
The earlier-touted 'cheap engines' solution might soon be back on the table. That is the claim of Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, revealing that reforms agreed by the manufacturers to avoid the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone's plan for parallel engine regulations may now collapse.
Just days ago, the power unit suppliers - Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Honda - agreed a plan to lower costs, improve noise and ensure that something like the 'Red Bull engine crisis' of late 2015 does not happen again. "Significant further progress was made regarding power unit supply," the FIA confirmed after the latest F1 Commission meeting.
But Michael Schmidt, the respected Auto Motor und Sport correspondent, claims that the new EUR 12 million per customer fee for 2018 is in fact "a sham". He explained: "The 12 million includes only 6 engines per team and 5 engineers at the track. But it takes twice as many engineers to operate these complex units, so the manufacturers will charge more for extra support. "Even fuel and oil are not included in the price," Schmidt added.
Not only that, the report suggested that while 'supply availability' is a cornerstone of the 2018 agreement, McLaren will not budge from its veto position regarding the exclusivity of its works Honda deal. "Ron Dennis explained at the last strategy group meeting that he cannot sign because he will be in breach of contract, in which the veto is enshrined," said Schmidt.
The fact Ecclestone's low-cost alternative engine may now be back on the table will alarm FIA president Jean Todt, who was hoping a resolution might entice a new manufacturer like Audi to the grid. Audi recently bemoaned the rules instability in F1.
"F1 for Audi is absolutely not a topic," Audi's new technical boss Stefan Knirsch is now quoted as saying by Autocar. "We want to win Le Mans in a championship where electric and hybrid technology plays a very major role, while we are in discussions with the DTM about when we can introduce this kind of technology," he added. (GMM)
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
236,923 comments on Renault
27 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Renault
Replies (2)
Login to replykhasmir
Posts: 893
Nothing but politics, I couldn't care less if Audi or anything within the VW group want's to join F1 or not. And how long would it take before they are caught cheating with the fuel flow sensor for example... :)
I would prefer to see the return of brands like BMW or Toyota to F1, or Ford and Cosworth...
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I second this. Even if I would like to see a VW-entrant, I'd love to see any of those four back in F1.