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New resolution reached on future F1 power unit supply
A new course of action to address several key areas relating to the supply of power units in Formula One racing has been agreed by the Formula One Strategy Group and the F1 Commission.
Engine manufacturers, acting in conjunction with governing body the FIA, have agreed to provide a proposal that will seek to address several points, including agreeing a minimum number of teams to supply - thereby ensuring every team has access to a power unit - and reducing the cost of power units.
The developments outlined in the proposal, which will be presented by 15 January 2016, are intended to come into effect for the 2017 season at the earliest, or the 2018 season at the latest.
The FIA said that plans for a reduced-cost customer engine for 2017 had attracted four interested, credible parties, but that the option would not be pursued - with the situation to be reassessed after proposals from the engine manufacturers had been presented.
The FIA's statement in full:
The Formula One Strategy Group and the F1 Commission yesterday held separate constructive meetings at the FIA's headquarters in Paris.
The parties involved have agreed on a course to address several key areas relating to Power Unit supply in Formula One. These areas are:
- Guarantee of the supply of Power Units to teams
- The need to lower the cost of Power Units to customer teams
- Simplification of the technical specification of the Power Units
- Improved noise
The manufacturers, in conjunction with the FIA, will present a proposal by 15 January, 2016 that will seek to provide solutions to the above concerns.
The proposal will include the establishment of a minimum number of teams that a manufacturer must supply, ensuring that all teams will have access to a Power Unit.
Measures will also be put forward to reduce the cost of the supply of hybrid Power Units for customer teams, as well as improving their noise.
All stakeholders agreed that the developments will aim for the 2017 season at the earliest, and 2018 at the latest.
The first meeting between the FIA and the Power Unit manufacturers on this topic will be held this week at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Yesterday's meetings acknowledged the four credible Expressions of Interest made for the manufacture and supply of a less expensive alternative customer engine.
The F1 Commission agreed not to pursue this option at this stage – however, it will be reassessed after the Power Unit manufacturers have presented their proposal to the Strategy Group.
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FIA to consider reduced-cost customer engine for 2017