Head, Berger Against Engine Changes

Williams' technical director Patrick Head and BMW's boss Gerhard Berger have expressed their disagreement with a proposed change to the engine regulations when the current Concorde Agreement - the document which rules Formula One - expires in 2007.

The changes, which would see the engine capacity reduced from 3 to 2.5 litres, had been discussed in the past and were again brought up at last weekend's British Grand Prix.

The move is thought to be aimed at reducing the cost and improve safety, but Williams' Head believes it won't make a difference and added the manufacturers are happy with the current regulations.

"Martin Whitmarsh [McLaren's managing director] suggested a 2.5-litre V6 and part of it was him expressing opinion and some was concern over current engine cost," Head said. "The normally aspirated engines were brought in because turbos were supposed to be too expensive but, in fact, I don't think anyone suggests that these normally aspirated engines even eight or nine years ago were any cheaper than the turbo engines.

"It was a proposal at a technical working group some time ago and it wasn't in any way taken up enthusiastically by the engine suppliers. They said they are happy with the regs as they are now and do not believe that engine power intrinsically is a major factor in the safety of the cars."

Berger, motorsport director of German engine manufacturer BMW, who supply their units to the Williams team, agreed with Head.

"There will be no change until 2007 but, from a driver's point of view, I don't think it would be right to reduce performance," said Berger. "A Formula One car should have the power that we see, I don't think it would be right. I also think it is important that there stays an equality between different factors so that it doesn't become that the aerodynamics or the tyres are a dominating factor.

"For this reason, you need a certain amount of horsepower. If you reduce it to 2.5-litre V6s you would just reduce horsepower and I don't think it would be safer or cheaper."