JULY 2, 2006

Edging towards a deal

Sunday morning in Indianapolis witnessed the Formula 1 engine manufacturers finishing off the details of what is called the Indianapolis Proposal, a new attempt to solve the current problems with the FIA over the plans to freeze engines. The latest proposals freeze a number of engine parts but allow a little more freedom than some of the earlier proposals and the big players seem to be in agreement and are now signing up the small teams to the idea on the understanding that there will be cost-effective engines available for all the teams. It is hoped that the document will get unanimous agreement before the end of the weekend so that it can go to the F1 Commission and the FIA World Council later this week in Paris. The FIA is still pushing for the 2008 engine rules to be introduced in 2007 but it is hard to see how that is going to happen at this late stage as there is considerable opposition to the plan.