Mosley forces teams to form cost-cutting plans

Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone have reacted to the current global economic crisis by insisting that ways be found to substantially reduce the costs of competing in F1.

Mosley showed he meant business by announcing a tender for a common supplier of engines from 2011, a ploy that galvanised the teams into agreeing possible alternatives at FOTA meetings in Japan. A key factor is to reduce the cost of customer engine deals from as early as next season.

The typical current price is €16-17 million per annum.

The issue of customer cars remains hazy, but in the current environment it seems there will be more potential for the sharing of technology in the future than had been envisioned by those who have opposed it, such as Williams. Force India is seeking to acquire its entire engine, gearbox and KERS system from McLaren-Mercedes.

Toro Rosso boss Gerhard Berger said: “As an independent team, I am happy to see things moving, and that slowly everybody starts to realise that we are getting into a very, very difficult situation. As we all know how long a lead time decisions like this can have, it is very important to react quickly.”