FIA president Todt would offer F1 engine stability for cost cuts

FIA president Jean Todt says he would be prepared to offer manufacturers stability in the engine regulations beyond 2020 in exchange for reducing the supply cost for Formula 1 customers

It emerged last week that Ferrari used its right at the last Strategy Group meeting to veto a proposal to reduce the amount it, Mercedes and Renault charge customers.

Speaking to reporters in the paddock in Mexico, Todt said: "Economically, the more stability of the regulations, the better it will be.

"With the engine manufacturers, we promised there would be stable regulations with the engine until 2020.

"I would be prepared if it could anchorage them to reduce the price to the customers to extend the stability of the engine rules."

On Friday, Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene and Mercedes chief Toto Wolff suggested it was unreasonable to ask manufacturers to lower prices having already committed the finances to development.

Todt said he understood the manufacturers' position but added the proposed figure of €12m should be enough to ensure they don't lose money.

"I feel that the price which was proposed, the maximum price, is a price the producers of the engine will not lose money," he said.

"I feel it would be unfair to ask them to lose money by giving the service.

"It would have been unfair to seek at €6m or €8m. I feel that €12m leaves them a margin.

"I consider €12m to be still quite a lot of money but i think it is an acceptable figure in my opinion but I'm not responsible for the budget of a manufacturer.

"I think it is a fair figure. I think it is something which also should be acceptable for the customers.

"If we are not able to get to this solution, we need to find another solution because otherwise the risk is 10 teams being bankrupt."