Marussia sure 2014 Formula 1 rule change costs can be contained
Marussia believes Formula 1's major regulation changes for 2014 need not price smaller teams out of the market if decisions are made wisely
F1 will switch to V6 turbos next year. The cost of producing the new engines has led to fears of unsustainable budget increases for the world championship's smallest teams.
But Marussia sporting director Graeme Lowdon told AUTOSPORT he was certain that costs could still be contained.
Click here for Dieter Rencken's latest insight into F1's 2014 rules situation
"There are plenty of tools available to be able to do that. It's important," he said.
"What the fans want is close competition, not a spending competition.
"It's certainly a potential challenge to everyone in 'pitlane PLC', if you like, because we want to ensure the fans still get a show and that is the most important thing.
"That can only happen if a number of boxes are ticked, one of which is that the economics have got to make sense for all the teams, not just some of the teams."
With the demise of HRT, Marussia is now Cosworth's last remaining customer in F1. Lowdon said it was too soon to say what his team might do for a 2014 engine supply.
"I think we're talking to all the same engine manufacturers that everyone else is," he said.
"The regulations aren't finalised yet and therefore that makes it quite tricky to go beyond initial discussions.
"We're eagerly awaiting some indication of what the commercial and technical proposal for the new powertrain is going to look like."
He played down the chances of an equalisation formula allowing the current V8s to be retained.
"I guess theoretically that could be done. It's safe to say our team's not pushing the long term agenda of engines in Formula 1," said Lowdon.
"As far as we're concerned, it's got to be a highly-technical device, it's got to be loud, it's got to be powerful and above all it's got to be affordable."
Previous article
Fernando Alonso's approach 'too political' - Helmut Marko
Next article
Mark Webber 'struggles with title pressure' reckons Helmut Marko
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Author | Dieter Rencken |
Why Russell was right to be wrong about Bottas after Imola F1 clash
George Russell and Valtteri Bottas' collision at Imola on Sunday prompted fury in the Formula 1 paddock. But Russell's carefully-worded heartfelt statement later, acknowledging that his initial response was wrong, proved the right move
How Verstappen and Hamilton’s Imola clash sets the tone for F1’s 2021 title fight
In Max Verstappen's Formula 1 career to date, he has been cast as the 'pretender', an acknowledged top-line performer without the car to regularly challenge Lewis Hamilton. But that no longer applies in 2021, and the start to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was the most telling signal yet of what we can expect from their duel this year
How “overwhelming” McLaren move has given Ricciardo a new verve
Daniel Ricciardo has found a new lease of life at McLaren – a move that’s been years in the making, as he explains to STUART CODLING…
The German legend who raced and beat Nuvolari
Ninety years ago, Rudolf Caracciola became the first non-Italian to win the epic Mille Miglia. We look at how he stacks up to the most famous pre-war ace Tazio Nuvolari, one of the drivers he beat on that day in 1931
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
