Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone is confident the sport’s manufacturers will not walk away following Friday’s cost-cutting announcement by the FIA.
As part of their money-saving drive, motor sport’s world governing body are to open a tender process for standardised engines and transmissions to be used from 2010 to 2013. Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Honda and Renault are currently the six manufacturers in F1, however, the FIA decision would appear to jeopardise their involvement.
But Ecclestone sees no reason why they should jump ship as he said: “It’s what everybody expected, that they (the FIA) would announce they’re trying to get a homologated engine. We’re just trying to get a level playing field to be honest with you. I don’t see why they (manufacturers) should leave - we’re saving them an awful lot of money, I hope.”
“I say we reduce the necessity to spend to be competitive. It’s as simple as that.”
The FIA have confirmed the manufacturers will still be able to build their own engines when the standard power unit is introduced from the start of the 2010 season.
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