Formula one to discuss cost-cutting measures in Geneva

• More efficient engines and reduction in testing mooted
• Mosley threatens to impose changes if teams can't agree
Radical new engine regulations and draconian restrictions on testing during the course of the racing season will be up for discussion in what promises to be a highly charged meeting of formula one team representatives in Geneva tomorrow. The intention is to agree a cohesive package of cost-cutting measures ahead of next week's meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport council, at which Max Mosley, the president of the sport's governing body, is threatening to impose changes — including "standard specification" engines — unless the teams come up with better ideas.
"The goal of the meeting is to define a common proposal for the future at short and medium term," said the Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni. "A lot has been defined for 2009, more is to come for 2010 and 2011 to reduce costs and improve the show. These are the leading principles."
One of the most dramatic suggestions is to replace the current 2.4-litre V8 engines with 1.8-litre turbocharged power units, designed to consume around 30% less fuel, from 2011. This would almost certainly involve abandoning refuelling during races, which would have a far-reaching impact on the design and weight distribution of the cars.
Coming so soon after the raft of major technical changes that are due to be implemented next year, which include heavily revised aerodynamics and the re-introduction of slick tyres intended to promote overtaking, the proposals seem likely to be very costly in the short term. They are, however, designed to send a strong message that formula one is aware of the need to rein in costs at a time of economic stringency.
Proposals to cut testing from 30,000km to 15,000km per season will also be debated, as will Bernie Ecclestone's contentious proposal that the world championship should be decided by an Olympic medal system rather than the points table used at present.
The guardian online