The following measures to reduce costs in Formula 1 have been agreed by the World Motor Sport Council. These proposed changes have the unanimous agreement of the Formula 1 teams, who have played a major role in their development. The FIA is grateful to the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) and its chairman Luca di Montezemolo for their incisive contribution.


2009:

Engine

• Engine life to be doubled. Each driver will use a maximum of eight engines for the season plus four for testing (thus 20 per team)

• Limit of 18,000rpm

• No internal re-tuning. Adjustment to trumpets and injectors only

• The three-race rule voted on November 5 remains in force

• Cost of engines to independent teams will be approximately 50 per cent of 2008 prices

• Unanimous agreement was reached on a list of proposed changes to the Renault engine for 2009; all other engines will remain unchanged. Comparative testing will not be necessary

Testing

• No in-season testing except during race weekends during scheduled practice

Aerodynamic research

• No wind tunnel exceeding 60 per cent scale and 50 metres-per-second to be used after January 1, 2009

• A formula to balance wind tunnel-based research against CFD research, if agreed between the teams, will be proposed to the FIA

Factory activity

• Factory closures for six weeks per year, to accord with local laws

Race weekend

• Manpower to be reduced by means of a number of measures, including sharing information on tyres and fuel to eliminate the need for 'spotters'

Sporting spectacle

• Market research is being conducted to gauge the public reaction to a number of new ideas, including possible changes to qualifying and a proposal for the substitution of medals for points for the drivers. Proposals will be submitted to the FIA when the results of the market research are known

Note: It is estimated that these changes for 2009 will save the manufacturer teams approximately 30 per cent of their budgets compared to 2008, while the savings for independent teams will be even greater


2010:

Powertrain

• Engines will be available to the independent teams for less than €5 million per team per season. These will either come from an independent supplier or be supplied by the manufacturer teams backed by guarantees of continuity. If an independent supplier, the deal will be signed no later than December 20, 2008

• This same engine will continue to be used in 2011 and 2012 (thus no new engine for 2011)

• Subject to confirmation of practicability, the same transmission will be used by all teams

Chassis

• A list of all elements of the chassis will be prepared and a decision taken in respect of each element as to whether or not it will remain a performance differentiator (competitive element)

• Some elements which remain performance differentiators will be homologated for the season

• Some elements will remain performance differentiators, but use inexpensive materials