Analysis: F1 Set for Major Overhaul

Formula One is set for a major overhaul from 2006 after teams backed a package of proposals to cut costs and improve competition on Tuesday.

"I couldn't have asked for more from the meeting," International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley said after discussing with team bosses proposals he had put forward, originally for 2008.

Mosley said seven manufacturers were currently spending an unsustainable total of 1,000 million euros ($1.21 billion) a year on engines and there was general agreement that change had to come sooner rather than later.

"I think we are going to see a new engine formula in 2006," said Mosley. "The engine manufacturers are going to make proposals in addition to those that we've made to reduce the engine costs by 50 percent."

The debate was still open on whether it was more economic to make engines last longer - possibly as many as six races - or reduce their capacity to 2.4 litre V8s from three litre V10s.

Manufacturers had been given a month to report back with all the proposals to be put to the FIA's world motor sport council on June 30, but Mosley said the need to reduce power was "completely accepted".

He added that most of the measures could be in place for the 2006 season, with some changes possible in 2005. A controversial single session qualifying system introduced this season, and panned by broadcasters and many Formula One insiders, could even be replaced this year.

Complete Agreement

"We will have a new qualifying system in 2005, quite possibly in 2004," said Mosley.

He said there was complete agreement on banning hi-tech electronic 'driver aids' such as traction control and on having a single tyre supplier, a move that would eliminate much expensive testing.

A single supplier could also see Formula One return to slick tyres, instead of grooved tyres, with rear tyres noticeably bigger than the front ones.

"It was very positive. Really, we were all very united," said team boss Eddie Jordan. "Everyone wants to see serious cost savings over the future. I was enormously pleased at the outcome because it was all so one-sided."

BAR boss David Richards added: "There were a lot of very sensible proposals put forward and hopefully a timetable that will see us to a strong future. There wasn't any real argument on any issues ... all in all I think it's a very good step forward. The changes will be very positive from the public's point of view."

The FIA could have imposed their proposals from the start of 2008, when an existing 'Concorde Agreement' between the teams, governing body and Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone expires.

However Tuesday's meeting gave the teams a say in the future while also effectively killing off the threat of a rival series being planned by the five major carmakers' GPWC group.

Mosley said Ecclestone had agreed to increase revenue payments to teams substantially and in line with what had been agreed with the GPWC before talks broke down this month.

"Everything the GPWC set out to get, they have got," Mosley said. "Their raison d'etre has disappeared."

Other changes for 2005 included the disappearance of the conventional spare car from the pits, with teams allowed to have a third car in a crate to be assembled if necessary.

A rule banning tyre changes during a race, except in the case of a puncture, could be introduced next year along with the abolition of restrictions on the sale or loan of chassis from one team to another.

The sale of chassis is a key part of plans to make the sport affordable for new teams to come in.

"For that to happen," Mosley cautioned, "we need 50 percent of the teams to agree and that can only happen with a detailed regulation to put in front of them."