FIA may change equivalency formula
Honda's Nick Fry says the FIA could introduce at a day's notice further restrictions on teams electing to run V10 engines, if the current formula for restricting V10 engines proves too generous
Currently, only Scuderia Toro Rosso is planning to enter the 2006 season with a restricted Cosworth V10 engine, while all other teams have committed to running 2.4 litre V8 engines.
But there is a growing concern among V8-powered teams that the existing restrictions on V10 engines - including air restrictor and RPM limit - are not enough, and V10-powered cars could have an advantage.
"We have to wait and see if the equivalency formula is fair," Fry told autosport.com. "At the moment, those running V8 feel that the restriction is a bit too generous, so we need to find out what is the exact figure.
"I know there are tests being done and we're just leaving it to the FIA to determine what is fair. [FIA president] Max Mosley and [FIA delegate] Charlie Whiting made it clear that they would adjust the equivalency formula if necessary at 24 hours notice.
"They always said that the figure may change, because they want to make it fair. So at this stage, we'll just leave it and see what happens."
Fry said tests are currently being done by several teams and the FIA to establish the fairest equivalency formula, although he said his Honda team elected not to be a part of this joint research.
"Toyota volunteered to do tests; we could have done it too, but we chose not too - and we're comfortable with that," Fry said. "Midland did the test at various levels and already presented the data to FIA.
"The FIA will now make a decision. Hopefully, it will come out fair - fair to everybody. That is all we ask."
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