Teams agree to Mosley plan

The rules aimed at reducing costs and making the sport more entertaining have been met with widespread acceptance by the teams and 95 percent of them are expected to be ratified in time for 2006, two years earlier than expected.

However Formula 1's engine manufacturers must attend further meetings starting with one at the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend in order to thrash out a definitive set of technical regulations.

At present the choice is between a long-life six-race 3.0-litre engine based on current specifications or an all-new 2.4-litre V8. Either way they have tasked to reduce costs by 50 percent. They also have to decide whether they will resist the introduction of standard ECUs until 2008, automatically banning traction control, or whether this will become part of the 2006 regulations to be ratified at the World Council meeting on June 30.

In summary the meeting decided:


Discussions to take place over size of engines, with change expected to take place from 2006
Standard ECUs will be mandatory from 2008 and discussions are now taking place about whether these can be introduced for 2006


Agreement that the 'least expensive solutions' to be implemented as soon as possible for braking, steering and transmission
The return of manual gearboxes has been rejected because the current semi-automatic units are more economical
Standard brake discs, pads and callipers will be introduced as soon as possible


The weight limit reduction could be greater than the proposed 50kg because of the increased weight loss caused by the loss of heavy electronic systems
Discussions have taken place about reducing the number of electronic sensors on the cars and the possibility of introducing a standard data logger


No spare car as it is currently known will be allowed - only a spare monocoque in a pre-packed box
Cars will be held overnight in parc ferme and teams will be allowed to adjust the car but not rebuild it
The creation of new championships, like engine manufacturer or constructors with more teams is open for discussion
A ban on tyre changes in races could happen by 2005
A dramatic reduction in testing will be imposed - to the extent that teams will no longer need to run second test teams alongside their race outfits
The FIA has instructed the teams and Bernie Ecclestone to come up with a better qualifying system to replace the current format
Tender to go out to tyre manufacturers for a single tyre supplier by 2006. The tyre width will be reduced at the front and increased at the rear - with slicks most likely returning


The teams are open to the idea of no restriction on the sale, loan or exchange of chassis and components between teams or new entrants, but require certain guarantees about not devaluing Formula 1 or their own teams' financial situation
Unanimous voting on short term technical rule changes to be replaced by majority voting
There will be no new Concorde Agreement to replace the current one, which runs out at the end of 2007