FIA cost cutting measures 2002-01-15

Despite the disappearance of two Formula One teams in the past twelve months, nothing has been done to save money. Last October, the Formula One teams rejected all the FIA's cost-saving proposals. The teams themselves have had several meetings, but produced nothing.

The FIA therefore invited the teams to a meeting at Heathrow Airport today and informed them that in order to reduce costs and improve the racing it will rigorously apply existing rules from the start of the coming season, in order to:

* eliminate pit to car telemetry;
* eliminate car to pit telemetry;
* eliminate all radio communication between team and driver;
* allow only two cars per team (ie no spare car);
* place cars in parc fermé between final qualifying and the race (teams will be unable to work on them, except under strict supervision);
* eliminate traction control, launch control and fully automatic gearboxes (possible derogation for all or part of 2003 to be followed by absolute enforcement in 2004, if necessary by means of standard electronic control units);

and that the FIA will also
* allow teams to use common components; and that it intends to introduce sporting rules for 2004 which will
* require the use of a standard braking system;
* require the use of a standard rear wing;
* require the use of long-life components;
* ensure that car manufacturers involved in Formula One supply engines to all competing teams;

and that for 2005 it intends to bring in further sporting rules to require
* engine life to be extended from one to two races;
* a further extension to the life of major components;
* new penalties for engine or component changes outside permitted times; and that for 2006 it intends to bring in a further sporting rule to require
* engine life to be extended to six races;

and that it will seek the agreement of the teams to introduce a new technical regulation to
* eliminate the use of expensive exotic materials in any part of the car, including the engine.

-fia-