Kolles says Midland could use V10 engines

The carmakers need the unanimous support of teams to be able to push forward the 'Indianapolis Agreement' on part engine homologation from 2007 and avoid a full engine freeze.

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.

If the manufacturers don't get the support of the independent teams by this weekend they will be facing the prospect of not only a full engine freeze from 2008 but also having to pay out for expensive engine developments next year.

Formula One's independent teams, including Midland, are opposing the Indianapolis Agreement and want to have guarantees that they will get cheap customer engines from the manufacturers if they commit to it.

"It is complete nonsense to spend huge amounts in 2007 and I think the proposals that have been made especially are more than fair," said Kolles. "We are not asking for a free engine supply, just an engine supply at reasonable prices to secure the future of F1. It is very simple.

"For us, to be honest, it doesn't matter. We are happy with any case, if they are not coming to an agreement we will run V10 engines next year, we are happy with this, and if they come to an agreement we will run a competitive V8 engine - we will be happy whichever way it goes, so they better make their mind up.

"Obviously we don't want to use a V10 engine, but the four manufacturers obviously they want to have a change of regulations which would impose higher costs on us, and we are all talking of reducing costs in F1 and not spending money," said Kolles.

"So these four manufacturers prefer to spend one billion in 2007 and go back to a 2006 homologated engine and this is nonsense to me, instead of giving a benefit to independent teams of maybe 75 million so we don't want to use a V10 engine. We want an agreement.

"We are not seeking to renegotiate cheap engines or free engines, we just want stability and security for the future, it is very simple actually. It is the other manufacturers, especially four of them, who want to change and want to spend money."

Autosport.com understands that FIA president Max Mosley wrote to the GPMA on Sunday indicating that the FIA "will ensure the V10 engines remain competitive next year."