F1 shake-up: Big changes to cut costs

FIA president Max Mosley, F1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone and all 10 team bosses attended the summit at Heathrow's Hilton hotel. Mosley said: "Once the teams got over their initial shock they came round to the ideas."

In a strongly-worded statement, the FIA pointed out that the teams had rejected its cost-cutting proposals over the last 12 months, despite the loss of two F1 teams in Prost and Arrows. Instead, it has decided to "rigorously apply existing rules" for the 2003 season.
They are as follows.

Placing cars in parc ferme between final qualifying and the race (teams will be unable to work on them, except under strict supervision)

Elimination of traction control, launch control and fully automatic gearboxes (possible derogation for all or part of 2003, to be followed by absolute enforcement in 2004, if necessary by standard ECUs)

Elimination of pit to car and car to pit telemetry

Elimination of all radio communication between team and driver

Allowing only two cars per team (ie: no spare cars)
The FIA has also allowed the use of common components in 2003, so teams can use parts built by another outfit.

Formula 1 team boss Eddie Jordan, whose squad is understood to be struggling to raise a substantial budget for 2003, declared the meeting: "The most positive between team bosses ever. This is a great day for us."