FIA Sets Out Proposed Rule Changes for 2005

Formula One teams will have to make engines last for two weekends and qualify and race with the same tyres next year under proposed changes outlined by the sport's governing body.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement on Friday that it had sent all 10 teams details of a package to make the sport safer by slowing cars down.

It said the measures were likely to be imposed if satisfactory alternative proposals had not been agreed by at least eight teams and presented to the governing body by September 6.

FIA president Max Mosley has warned repeatedly that speeds have become dangerously fast, with Germany's Ralf Schumacher and Brazilian Felipe Massa involved in big crashes in North America last month.

Teams, under severe time constraints with the design of next year's cars, are expected to agree to the measures to prevent costs spiralling.

"The easiest thing is for us to accept that and get on with it straight away," Autosport magazine quoted Williams technical director Sam Michael as saying this week.

"It would make little sense for development work and investment thus far to be compromised by unnecessarily late changes to the regulations," said Renault's Bob Bell.

The proposals covered aerodynamics, tyres and engines with further measures to reduce engine power scheduled for 2006. On aerodynamics, the FIA proposals included raising the front wing, moving the rear wing element forward and limiting the height of the diffuser.

It estimated that the measures would slow cars through fast corners while having a minimal effect on straight-line speeds.

Tyres will be limited to two sets per driver per weekend, with one set for Friday and Saturday practice and the other for qualifying and the race - meaning a tyre will have to last for at least 350km rather than 80 at present.

"A damaged tyre can be replaced during the race (taken from the first set) but the car cannot be refuelled at the same time as the damaged tyre is changed," the statement said. By making engines last for two races power will be reduced.

The FIA said that in 2006 a 2.4 litre V8 engine would replace the current three litre V10 units. Teams that cannot obtain a 2.4 litre engine will be allowed to use the old one with power restricted by a rev limiter.