F1 commission rejects FIA plan to introduce an alternative Formula 1 engine

The Formula 1 commission has rejected the proposed plans to introduce a standard engine for the 2017 season, according to the FIA.

The F1 Commission, which met in Paris yesterday, comprises all the teams, along with some circuit promoters, sponsors and suppliers, such as Pirelli. The FIA’s idea, which was also supported by Bernie Ecclestone, did not get the majority of the votes it required from the meeting.

The FIA had asked interested parties to submit “expressions of interest” to supply a cheaper class B engine, which would be available to all teams for under €10m, but would be based on a V6 2.5 litre engine, without an Energy Recovery System.

Despite rejecting the standard engine, F1’s existing manufacturers have agreed to submit proposals that will attempt to fix several of the issues surrounding the current V6 turbo power units.

The manufacturers have been asked to create potential solutions that relate to the high cost of engines, simplifying the technical specifications and improving the noise of the power units and, if required, they must agree to supply a minimum number of teams.

The FIA statement read: "The parties involved have agreed on a course to address several key areas relating to Power Unit supply in Formula One. These areas are:

- Guarantee of the supply of Power Units to teams

- The need to lower the cost of Power Units to customer teams

- Simplification of the technical specification of the power units

- Improved noise

"The manufacturers, in conjunction with the FIA, will present a proposal by 15 January 2016 that will seek to provide solutions to the above concerns.

"The proposal will include the establishment of a minimum number of teams that a manufacturer must supply, ensuring that all teams will have access to a Power Unit.

"Measures will also be put forward to reduce the cost of the supply of hybrid Power Units for customer teams, as well as improving their noise.

"All stakeholders agreed that the developments will aim for the 2017 season at the earliest, and 2018 at the latest.