Teams give some idea of 'cost regulation document'

[John S]

At last a bit of meat on the bone. Rumour amongst other sources suggests that it's Williams and Manor that are holding up the signing off by all the teams, but no word on what they are objecting to.

Formula One Teams Association figures on Friday began to lift the lid on the mysterious 'Cost Regulation Document' that will replace Max Mosley's preferred budget cap beginning next year.

The FIA confirmed on Friday that once the legally-binding contract is signed off by the F1 teams, the Concorde Agreement can be pushed through and the recent tumultuous period of political instability sidelined at least until 2012.

Until now however the actual content of the document has been closely guarded by the FOTA alliance, and even on Friday only a few details were divulged.

Toro Rosso's Franz Tost told reporters at the Hungaroring that, quite apart from this year's frenetic rate of development, only three changes to fundamental aerodynamic parts next year will be allowed.

"For example, front wings, rear wings. They are homologated," he said.

"You can bring out three new modifications, the floor as well, the monocoque, also only one crash structure. That means that FOTA has worked out quite a good programme where we are convinced that we can reduce costs," Tost added.

Christian Horner and Stefano Domenicali, meanwhile, of the Red Bull and Ferrari teams respectively, revealed that the number of personnel per team attending races is to be capped. 
 
Domenicali said similar staff number restrictions will not apply to factories.

"All that I can say is that we are working on a situation in order to reduce the number of people at races.

"All the other things are related to something that we will exploit internally because everyone has their own organisation, so we cannot say that everyone is doing the same thing as the others," he explained.

Horner said he believes it is FOTA's efforts to reduce costs, for example also in the areas of testing bans and summer factory closures, that paved the way for three new teams to enter the sport next year.

"I think Formula One has reacted responsibly," he said. "It's positive to see new teams entered for next year which would have been impossible, I think, without the resource restrictions that will be introduced."

© CAPSIS International

[Jericoke]

Three updates a season?  Sounds like a nightmare to police.  I can just see a team saying 'That's not a new piece, our contractor just didn't get it right.  With the factory closed, we didn't have time to make the right one.  A mere coincidence that it makes the car faster'.

[Alianora La Canta]

This seems like a good way of deciding the championship at the first race. Even this year, with unlimited updates, there has been little change in team hierarchy. With only three upgrades a year (and one chassis upgrade), scope for improvement will be very, very limited. Do we want to see more teams giving up mid-season and spending lots of money to coast along?

What we're going to end up with is F1 taking out all the value along with some of the costs, and still be no nearer a competitive championship (and, if anything, further away).

[akash01]

there has been little change in team hierarchy.

great history..........funny.

[cosworth151]

There were times in the past when teams missed the mark so badly that they talked about bringing back the previous season's car. I wonder if that would be allowed under these rules.

[Jericoke]

There were times in the past when teams missed the mark so badly that they talked about bringing back the previous season's car. I wonder if that would be allowed under these rules.

I don't see why not, as long as it fits in the limited number of changes.

My question is... can a team change back and forth?  One car for high speed tracks, one for low speed, and 2 revisions as needed?

[Alianora La Canta]

Given that the regulations change every single year these days, a team hasn't been able to go back to the previous model since 2005.

[Jericoke]

Given that the regulations change every single year these days, a team hasn't been able to go back to the previous model since 2005.

Which is a great way to save money...