FIA postpones heat recovery plans

Just 24 hours after Honda Racing unveiled their "Earth Car" to promote environmental awareness, a meeting of the FIA World Council today decided to delay the introduction of heat and exhaust gas recovery systems until 2011, with them originally having been due for introduction a year earlier.

It is understood the delay has come about because it would make more sense for the devices to be introduced when a new concept of engine comes in that year - rather than trying to mould them around the current specifications that will be used until then.

For 2011, the FIA hopes that a new four-race engine will include high-efficiency turbo charging, fuel flow limits, direct injection and the use of bio fuels. The FIA is also considering completely freeing up driver aids.

The FIA said last year that it intends all future technology in the sport to be relevant for the road car industry.

"Everything will be on the principle that new technologies, or rather the relevant devices, shall be freely available for sale to any team which wants them at an easily affordable price," it said in a statement.