Rules revolution aims to cut F1 costs

In a letter sent out to all 11 F1 teams, FIA president Max Mosley outlines his blueprint to prevent more teams going the way of Prost Grand Prix, which was declared bankrupt last month.

Reducing engine costs is the primary focus of the proposals, which, if voted though by the F1 Commission in three weeks' time, could be implemented in time for the 2003 season.

There are three key elements to the plan which are as follows:

A limit of one engine per car per grand prix weekend. Any engine change or use of the spare before the race would mean a driver starting 12 places further back on the grid from their qualifying position.

Manufacturers being forced to sell engine to a second team.

The reduction of GP weekends to two days, with Friday becoming an obiligatory promotion day without any on-track activity.

Reaction to the proposals among team bosses has been mixed with McLarens's Ron Dennis calling for reason, while BAR's Dave Richards and Toyota's Ove Andersson have backed the initative.

For Ron Dennis' response click here.

For Richards and Andersson story click here.

The full story appears in this week's AUTOSPORT magazine, on sale now.