F1 TO CUT COST..FINALLY

The announcement that Honda's F1 team is to close has put the sport in turbulence. As we knew, Honda is pulling out of the sport because the company can no longer justify the huge sums it has spent on some very sorry results. This was swiftly followed by pull outs of Subaru and Suzuki from the WRC. On the two wheels scene, Kawasaki had also opted out of MotoGP. And the numbers may not stop there.

As such, starting in 2009, big savings will be made on F1 engine costs, in-season testing and staff numbers, following a meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Monaco. Here's the blueprint of the proposal.

Engines:
- From 2009, engine life to be doubled. Each driver to use maximum of eight engines per season; each team can use an additional four for testing
- Limited to 18,000 revs per minute.
- Cost to independent teams will be approximately 50% of 2008 prices.
- 2010 engine will continue to be used in 2011 and 2012.

Race weekend:
- From 2010, standardised radio and telemetry systems, a ban on tyre warmers, mechanical purging of tyres and refuelling on race weekends.
- Possible reduction in race distance or duration (proposal to follow after market research).

Research:
- From 2009, no wind tunnel exceeding 60% scale and 50 metres per second to be used after 1 January 2009.
- Restrictions on aerodynamic research, combined with a full analysis of factory facilities.
- Factory closures for six weeks per year, to accord with local laws.

Other:
- From 2010, subject to confirmation of practicability, the same transmission will be used by all teams.
- FIA to compose a standard parts list for the chassis.
- FIA and Formula One Teams' Association to study possibility of an entirely new power train (engine and transmission) for 2013, based on energy efficiency