F1, Ecclestone: “FIA is looking for an engineer for an independent engine”

The FIA ​​will announce next week a tender for the development of an independent, low-cost F1 engine for 2017, F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has revealed.

A power unit currently costs teams between £15 and £20 million a year, compared to £7 million in the V8 era.

“The FIA ​​will issue a statement on Monday or Tuesday. The engines will likely be more powerful and use more fuel. I imagine there will be some regulatory changes, but they were already anticipated for 2017, so nothing new” commented Ecclestone in Austin.

To those who asked him if the FIA's move is a ploy to force engine manufacturers to lower the cost of supplies, Ecclestone replied: “No, but it's very simple. If we don't succeed we will probably lose several teams. We cannot do anything about the prices asked by suppliers. We have no control and we don't want to have it. They can ask as much as they want. But what will be introduced will be a much more economical engine."

According to Ecclestone there are several companies interested, Cosworth would be among them. To those who pointed out to him that Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Honda might not welcome this choice given that they have spent huge amounts of capital to develop the current engines, Ecclestone declared: "The money they have spent on research and development has a burden on their road cars."

According to Ecclestone, the introduction of an independent engine will not cause a two-speed world championship: “In the past there were people who used turbo engines and teams with naturally aspirated engines. It wasn't a two-speed system, but a choice. In any case, the manufacturers will continue to use their engine, the others will use the other one".