Jean Todt and the FIA admit there were mistakes in the rules regarding the supply of Power Units, introduced in 2014.
The 1.6 litre turbocharged engines were introduced as part of a radical overhaul of the regulations for the 2014 season, and it is believed that a typical engine supply as a customer team would cost in the region of £20 Million, much higher than the proposed £12 Million that the FIA would like to impose.
Ironically Todt’s plans were vetoed by his former team, Ferrari, a right they can exercise due to their position in the sport. In addition, Mercedes have stated they lose a “substantial” sum of money on each customer they supply which, considering how many cars use their engines, adds up to a significant amount of money.
Speaking to AUTOSPORT, Todt stated, “No limit was proposed which was probably a mistake.
“It doesn’t mean a cost limit would have been accepted as we proposed for six years some cost limitations and, unfortunately, it has never been accepted.
“That is why we are always looking at how can we implement measures which make F1 more affordable.”
The Frenchman is also critical of the fact that the FIA did not decree that a supplier must supply a minimum amount of customer teams, should there be a need for it. Currently, there is only a maximum amount, three, and any other teams need permission from the FIA to use a customer engine.
The concern has been brought about due to the ongoing Red Bull fiasco, where both Red Bull and Toro Rosso are left without an engine for the 2016 season, after cutting ties with long-time supplier Renault, and ongoing talks with Honda, who are not obliged to supply the two teams.
Todt continued, “It should be included in the regulations, but it was not included,” said Todt of the FIA’s mistake.
“The way it is written, you cannot supply more than a certain number which is three, but it isn’t written a minimum figure of teams you have to supply.”
In response to Ferrari’s veto, F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone has called for an alternative engine, from an independent supplier. The question remains however, would any team take it?
