BMW fears cost of 'one-lap specials'
BMW has warned that Formula 1's costs could escalate dramatically next year unless the sport's bosses outlaw engines and cars built purely for qualifying, according to this week's bumper Christmas issue of AUTOSPORT
The introduction of the new one-shot qualifying in 2003 has led to concerns that teams could sharply increase their expenditure by building cars that are designed for just a single 'hot' lap.
Motor racing's governing body, the FIA, has warned that it will not tolerate such tactics, but BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen fears not enough measures are in place.
"We have considered it [a qualifying car] as well, but it would be the wrong thing to do," said Theissen.
"If you only have to cover 30km [in qualifying] you might come up with a different engine, but that would mean developing three engines in parallel next year: one qualifying engine, one race engine and a 2004 engine. That would not make sense."
In 2004 teams will have to run the same engine in qualifying and races.
To read what the FIA has to say, get this week's 190-page double Christmas issue of AUTOSPORT, which is on sale now priced £3.95.
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