Formula 1 to become less expensive and less environmentally irresponsible
By Andrew C., 30 Aug, 2010. 0 Comments
In the coming years, we should expect Formula 1 to be less expensive and more environmentally responsible now that the leader of the sport‚ regulatory body calls for this change to happen.
Jean Todt, president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), cited his predecessor, Max Mosley, who had been the first to propose that F1 lead the way in developing new technologies for automobiles in 2006. In his last two years with the body, Mosley fought with team owners and auto manufacturers over the enormous cost of the global Grand Prix series. Mosley left last year, after a four-term or 16-year service as FIA leader. Continued after the jump!
Todt said that he is convinced that Formula 1 must “absolutely reflect” the environment with new technologies. Todt discussed these initiatives in an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro. He said Gilles Simon, former Ferrari engine builder, will spearhead the technical innovation in his new role with the FIA. Mosley had plans for new technology in powertrains for racing cars to be introduced by 2009. Most F1 teams experimented with kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) last year.
KERS, which stored energy generated by braking systems to provide a power boost, is already in use in some advanced production automobiles. But most team dropped this innovation as the season progressed. No teams plan to use KERS in 2010.With regards to economic change, Todt cited the effects of the global crisis to justify the change.
He said that the current cost-saving measures are not sufficient. He said that he is against limiting regulatory budgets, but that if the company wants to enable the F1 to continue, “it takes a real awareness and fundamental decisions." In an Autosport article, Todt's former boss, Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo, called for other institutional changes as well. Montezomolo said that huge gaps between the drivers and the press and public are not acceptable.
Montezemolo said Ferrari would honor its commitment to compete through 2012 but said that unless there are improvements in F1, "we will have motivation somewhere else." Although Montezemolo appeared to favor Todt‚ intentions, Ferrari had fiercely opposed the discussion of cost-cutting measures last year.
[via insideline]
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