Grapevine: Constructors' Championship Set for Overhaul

The Formula One Constructors' Championship could be set for a major overhaul in a bid to entice manufacturers to supply engines to smaller teams, according to paddock rumour.

Max Mosley, the boss of the sport's governing body, the FIA, was prominent in Monte Carlo last weekend, talking to team bosses about plans for cost cutting measures. It is believed that one plan will be to allow manufacturers to score points from teams that use their engines, such as the Ferrari-powered Sauber team scoring for the Italian giants.

Such a move would potentially be feasible as a short-term solution next year, to help out teams like Minardi, and there is also talk of manufacturers supplying full chassis to independent teams as 'B-cars' in the future.

New regulations to limit engines to one per race in 2004 should decrease costs to engine manufacturers, and those savings could then be passed over to the smaller teams.

In addition, an interesting approach to testing has been suggested which would allow the teams to choose between unlimited testing away from Grands Prix and testing at the circuit for an extra two hours on the Friday of a Grand Prix weekend.

By running at the racetrack for an extra two hours, teams would be able to develop their set-up more rapidly and would, it has been suggested, be permitted to change their engines on the Saturday before qualifying.