Full engine freeze looking more likely

The F1 Commission has set a deadline of Sunday at 4pm for teams to reach unanimous agreement on a package of regulations that will head off full homologation from 2008 and see a part engine freeze introduced from next year.

Part-homologation would mean part of the engine is homologated but modifications can be made to some components like cylinder heads or pistons. The FIA is seeking a full engine freeze, with no developments allowed at all.

As autosport.com revealed yesterday, the key to the deal going ahead is in the manufacturers setting up a 70 million Euro 'Engine Fund' to allow the supply of cheap customer engines for independent teams.

Hopes had been high before a meeting on Saturday that a deal could be reached with the FIA over the matter, and allow the 'Indianapolis Agreement' for part-homologation to be supported by all the teams. The FIA, however, has not been presented with a unanimous proposal yet.

After one hour of talks behind closed doors at the Honda Racing motorhome, the FIA rejected an offer by the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association (GPMA) teams of providing 10 million Euros each to the Engine Fund, rather than the suggested 15 million Euros.

According to sources at the meeting, FIA president Max Mosley made it clear that he was unwilling to accept the 10 million Euro offer, and furthermore he rejected a request for talks on the matter to be delayed until the German Grand Prix in two weeks' time.

The source said: "There was total disagreement on all fronts between the FIA and the teams. Max made it clear that the manufacturers should do what he said, or the FIA would stick with what we have got (the full engine freeze)."

Speaking about the situation afterwards, Mosley told autosport.com that there would be no compromise over his request for an Engine Fund or in delaying a decision for another fortnight.

"There is a deadline of this weekend and if there is no agreement then it is finished," he said.