F1 teams unveil vision of future

¹²³ · Mar 5, 2009

Proposals for major changes to Formula One's future have been unveiled by the body which represents the teams.

The Formula One Teams' Association (Fota) wants to introduce a new qualifying format and "radical new points-scoring opportunities".

Fota wants to bring in the changes, which also include reducing the duration of Grands Prix, by 2010.

But any changes must first be approved by the World Motorsport Council of the sport's governing body, the FIA.

Ways to improve F1's spectacle for trackside fans and TV viewers and extra cost-cutting plans were also outlined at Fota's meeting in Geneva.

Senior management figures from all 10 current F1 teams attended the organisation's first official news conference since it formed last year as they set out the proposed agenda for the evolution of the sport.

"This is an unprecedented moment in Formula One history," said Fota chairman Luca di Montezemolo, who is also president of Ferrari.

"Above all else, for the first time the teams are unified and steadfast - with a clear, collective vision."

Fota says its proposals - categorised either as technical, sporting or commercial - are aimed at increasing F1's "stability, sustainability, substance and show".

They come at a time when the sport is implementing a significant raft of cost-cutting measures, on the back of the global economic crisis.

The move represents the most significant action taken in the growing collective movement from teams to have a greater say in F1.

Technical proposals for 2009 include a reduction in wind tunnel and CFD (computational fluid dynamics) usage.

For 2010, Fota proposes that Kers (kinetic energy recovery system) is standardised, engines are available at £4.5m per team per season, and that telemetry and radio systems are standardised.

In sporting terms, it suggests a further reduction in testing - which is already significantly reduced this season - and wants race-starting fuel loads and associated data to be made public.

Commercially, it wants to "dramatically improve engagement with the public" and proposes mandatory driver autograph sessions during Grand Prix weekends.

The proposals were developed as a result of Fota-commissioned survey of F1 fans and infrequent followers of the sport across 17 countries as it seeks to "broaden as well as to deepen" F1's appeal.

"Thanks to our unity, all the teams have already managed to make a significant reduction to their costs for 2009," continued Di Montezemolo.

"And, while we will continue to compete vigorously on track, we all share one common goal: to work together to improve F1 by ensuring its stability, sustainability, substance and show for the benefit of our most important stakeholder, namely the consumer.

"It is with this mindset that we now intend to work hard, with our partners at the FIA and Formula One Management [commercial rights holders], our shared goal being to optimise the future of F1."

In January, Fota gave the green light to plans to cut costs as FIA president Max Mosley urged a further reduction in spending.

They ratified plans to cut testing in 2009 and to supply independent teams with engines costing £4.5m from 2010, and also pledged to develop low-cost transmissions for the 2010-12 seasons.

Despite agreeing on new ways to cut spending, Fota is known to oppose the FIA's proposal to introduce a budget cap for each team.
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