Repeal the three-engine rule? Forget it, says Todt

FIA president Jean Todt says there's not a ghost of a chance that Formula 1 will scrap next year's three-engine rule despite the prospect of even more grid penalties undermining the sport.

In their bid to cut costs, Formula 1 teams agreed on an annual decrease of the power unit allocation, with a three-engine limit set for 2018.

In a season when grid penalties wreaked havoc on many drivers' qualifying performance, reducing further the limit has brought on the fear on even more demotions next season, with Red Bull's Christian Horner calling the move "barking mad".

Todt however is adamant the rule will be enforced, as teams are not unanimous on the controversial subject.

• Wolff lays the blame at Horner's feet for three-engine rule

"It is something that was decided," says the governing body's president.

"Some people are still thinking, why don't we have one engine for the whole championship? It is not something that is new. It was decided years ago for 2018.

"We had some meetings with teams and the way the regulations are made and the governance are made, to decide now to go back to four engines, or let's go back, we need to be in 100 percent agreement.

"And we don't get 100 percent agreement. So we are down to three engines."

Horner voiced once again his concerns over how events could unfold in 2018, believing this year's grid penalty tally will likely be surpassed next season.

"I think there will be plenty of grid penalties next year and what you would hate to have is a championship decided on grid penalties," said the Red Bull Racing boss.

"We are getting to the point where with 21 races for three engines – it is nuts really.

"Those engines go on a world tour, they are here anyway and for more races, less engines. It is a false economy and it would be horrible to see a championship decided on engine penalties."

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