JULY 5, 2006

Nothing exciting from the World Council

The FIA World Motor Sport Council met in Paris on Wednesday to make decisions about the sport but there was no indication from the federation about a deal concerning Formula 1 engines. To no great surprise Bridgestone was selected as the official tyre supplier to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and Microsoft MES has been selected as the official ECU supplier. The only other note about F1 was that "due to a significant increase in cornering speeds" the World Motor Sport Council agreed to consult with the Formula 1 Technical Working Group regarding possible measures to slow the cars.

The Council went on to vote in favour of a single specification engine each year for the World Rally Championship and a single tyre supplier. The Council also decided that Yokohama has been selected as the official tyre supplier to the World Touring Car Championship in 2007. There was published calendar for F1 next year.

Given the recent deaths of FIA members there were some appointments made as well with Garry Connelly appointed as a member of the World Council to replace the late John Large and Morrie Chandler appointed President of the World Rally Championship Commission.

None of this is very significant in the overall scheme of things in F1 politics with the discussions over what rules should be used in 2007 and 2008. The fact that the rules for 2007 have not been announced as being in accordance with the decisions the FIA has made for 2008 is interesting.