|
Wednesday, 27 June 2012 08:38 |
 Formula One is split over a new proposal to allow 'customer cars' on the grid.
The idea is being powered chiefly by Ferrari and Bernie Ecclestone, and marketed as a way to cut costs by opening a new revenue stream for the big teams and reducing the design and manufacturing burden for struggling minnows.
Mercedes, however, does not sound keen on the idea of selling a year old chassis to its smaller rivals.
"If you ran this year with last year's car then just guess what happens," said the marque's head of motorsport Norbert Haug.
Lotus F1's Eric Boullier, however, sounds keener.
"If we have to go to customer cars to serve Formula One and be the Formula One of the future, why not? I think the discussion is open now," he said.
Currently, all teams must design and build their own car, but the existing Concorde Agreement expires at the end of the season.
Caterham F1, initially Team Lotus, entered Formula 1 in 2010 and is yet to score a point.
"An idea is an idea," said Caterham Chief Executive Riad Asmat when asked about customer cars.
"We are proud of where we are, what we've built, we came in as a constructor and we hope to stay that way for now."
Joan Villadelprat, a former Formula 1 engineer and manager, told AS newspaper: "This idea undermines the spirit of Formula 1. We need to reduce costs in another way."
F1SA.com
If you found this service informative please be kind and leave a tip.
|
|
|
|
|
NEWS by SERIES 
