FIA justifies Racing Point Force India power unit situation

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The FIA has confirmed that Racing Point Force India, the new entity that has been granted an entry to the F1 world championship, with pick up where the old Force India left off with regard to engine usage for 2018.

Clarification was required to justify why Force India's take-over by a consortium of investors led by Lawrence Stroll would prevent the new entrant from starting from scratch in terms of power unit and gearbox allocation.

F1's governing body has decided, for the sake of fairness, that the new team's engine allocation will take into account its predecessor's usage.

"Accordingly, we decide that the numbers of power unit elements and gearboxes referred to in Article 23 of the Sporting Regulations and used to date in 2018 by Sahara Force India Formula 1 Team shall carry forward to Racing Point Force India F1 Team," said a statement by the FIA.

"It is noted that the Team Principal of Racing Point Force India F1 Team publicly expressed his prior agreement with this."

Rival teams agree to let Force India keep its prize money!

While questions regarding Force India's engine situation have been put to rest, the small matter of its prize money rights remains a potential point of contention among its rivals.

F1's team unanimously agreed to allow the new Force India to retain the prize money earned by its predecessor before 2018. But the debate remains open about its right to collect funds in the near future.

As a new entrant, Force India would not qualify for funds before 2020 as stipulated by F1's commercial agreement with teams. That provision is apparently up for debate among the teams.

It's also an issue for which Haas - who joined F1 in 2016 and for which prize money has only started to kick in this year - is showing a particular interest.

"FOM needs to explain what it has done," said team boss Guenther Steiner yesterday.

"We have a contract where it is written what is possible or not, and in due course, they will explain how they will sort it and how it will work going forward."

Steiner insisted it was not a case involving a lack of solidarity towards a rival team, but Haas' need for clarity going forward.

"It is more like we just have to understand what actually was done, or what will be done," insisted the Italian

"We fixed the short-term problem that they race here, but how everything else is working I don’t have a clear picture."

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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.