Engine debate becomes a safety issue

While the FIA and F1's manufacturers continue their discussions in trying to find a deal on engine regulations, formal proceedings were initiated to find ways of reducing cornering speeds in 2007 -- which will most likely include a change to engine regulations.

The FIA has invoked Article 7.5 of the Concorde Agreement, which allows it to make swift changes to the technical and sporting regulations on safety grounds.

That move makes it almost certain that engine development will have to be capped to some extent next year, forcing teams to abandon their insistence that they can press on with their engine programmes for another season. The change of engines from 3.0-litre V10s to 2.4-litre V8s was introduced under Article 7.5.

Concerns about safety first aired earlier this season when a number of drivers said they were worried about rising cornering speeds.

Juan Pablo Montoya said that Copse Corner at Silverstone in particular, which is now 190mph, was a big cause for concern among drivers.

He told Autosport at the time: "Two laps on new tyres if the balance is good you can still go flat through there. If you can make it, then you can make a bit of time. That's why it's so dangerous, because if it steps out, or something fails....

"I think it's great. They shouldn't change the circuit, they should just change the safety."

The FIA World Motorsport Council agreed with the drivers about rising cornering speeds and at their recent meeting on July 5, they expressed some concern about the situation.

"Due to a significant increase in cornering speeds in Formula One this season, the World Motor Sport Council agreed to consult with the Formula One technical working group regarding possible measures to slow the cars," said a statement at the time.

That consultation took place with F1 think tank the Technical Working Group on July 7, where some of the technical directors present admitted that cornering speeds had increased 'considerably'.

However, it was felt at the time that no additional measures to slow cars were necessary because the technical directors believed that engine development and power were going to be capped for 2007 anyway, and that the switch to a single tyre supplier would lead to reduced grip from rubber.

Despite the TWG's assurances, autosport.com understands that the World Motorsport Council were still worried about the situation - especially because some teams still want unrestricted engine development in 2007.

It was subsequently decided that a fax vote should be taken about whether Article 7.5 should be invoked - which duly happened over the French Grand Prix weekend.

The matter will now be discussed at the next meeting of the TWG before the German Grand Prix.

The TWG now have two months to produce a set of proposals, which the FIA will then decide are acceptable or not. If their suggestions are not satisfactory, then the FIA can put forward its own ideas.

This would result in the FIA giving the teams three alternative proposals of its own, and the TWG will then have to choose one. If no decision is taken within 45 days, then the FIA can impose its own measures, which can come in after a three-month period.