Teams discuss limit on engines

AUTOSPORT's sister magazine reports that the suggestion came up for discussion at last month's Technical Working Group meeting. The rule would be designed to limit the amount of money spent on engines during the season.

The move would effectively end the practice of manufacturers building special qualifying engines. That is because one engine would have to survive Friday and Saturday's practice and qualifying sessions, saving the other for the race. If the second motor was to blow in Sunday morning's warm-up, the driver would be forced to start from the back of the grid.

Such a rule would have a significant impact. Teams are said to get through 50 engines a year, as opposed to only six or seven chassis. It could also lead to the manufacturers being forced to build more conservative units to avoid blow-ups and other failures.

The proposal could be given clearance at the FIA World Council meeting this Friday. This week's Motorsport News goes on sale tomorrow (Wednesday).