Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsFormula 1

Ferrari and Mercedes doubt FIA engine cap costs

40

Both Ferrari and Mercedes have hit back at the FIA's plans to reduce customer engine fees in a bid to reduce overall Formula 1 costs and ensure the current crop of hybrid power units offer better value for money.

New engine regulations introduced in 2014 initiated the hybrid era along with its technologically complex power units, but the price of the novel drive trains has increased substantially. Current units are estimated to cost between 12 and 15 million pounds, a hefty price which the smaller customer teams like Sauber, Force India or Lotus struggle to pay.

On his quest to reduce Formula 1's costs, FIA President Jean Todt has suggested a customer engine fee capped at approximately 8 million pounds, an amount which departs greatly from both Mercedes and Ferrari's business plans.

While both manufacturers, which have obviously invested heavily in the latest generation V6 hybrid technology, may be willing to negotiate the sales price of their power units, they have also expressed their doubts as to whether the fee suggested by Tody would be economically achievable.

"We take the FIA's request seriously," Mercedes boss Toto Wolff told Germany's Auto, Motor und Sport. "But the current price is calculated according to our original business model. We acknowledge it's an important bit, so we are sharpening our pencils and looking at the situation and we promise to come back with an answer as to whether it is feasible or not."

Ferrari sporting director Maurizio Arrivabene echoed his Mercedes counterpart's argument, insisting a fair price taking everything into account must be determined.

"Let me know another product somewhere in the world where you have to sell something at a set cost," he said. "We are negotiating to make sure we will offer the engine at the best possible price, but we can't give a present to anyone. We cannot ask for less than what it costs."

Click here for a lighter look back at some scenes from the British Grand Prix

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.