Site logo

What really happened when Ferrari met Max

NEWS STORY
02/02/2005

For the benefit of the nine team principals that shunned last week's meeting with FIA president, Max Mosley, here are the full minutes... just so we all know what really happened.

Present: Max Mosley (FIA), Charlie Whiting (FIA), Richard Woods (FIA), Jean Todt (Ferrari) and Ross Brawn (Ferrari)

Max Mosley welcomed the participants to the meeting. He explained that although all the teams had been invited, he understood none except Ferrari intended to come. The meeting was to discuss rules for 2008, but it should consider in respect of each item whether earlier implementation would be possible. Earlier implementation would, of course, require unanimous agreement of the teams for any technical measures, while both technical and sporting measures would need a favourable vote in the Formula One Commission and the World Motor Sport Council. Any potential changes for 2006 would be raised by Charlie Whiting at the next Technical Working Group meeting or in his next meeting with the team managers, as appropriate.

1. Possible technical and sporting measures to reduce costs

Standard ECU

Jean Todt explained that Ferrari supported the principle of a standard ECU, but proposed that a feasibility study be carried out.

The FIA was in favour of a standard ECU for the following reasons:

  • It would represent a significant cost saving.
  • It would enable the FIA to check for the presence of systems such as traction control.
  • It would enable the FIA to check mileage if necessary.

It was therefore agreed that the FIA would set up a working group to investigate all aspects of this proposal and to report back to the teams at the next meeting. The implementation for such a system was proposed for 2008.

Standard brakes

Jean Todt explained that Ferrari would prefer not to have a standard brake system. They were however in favour of long life brakes and said that either of these systems would represent a saving of around €1 million.

The FIA was in favour of a standard braking system.

The implementation for such a system was proposed for 2008, but would be possible in 2006.

Centre of gravity and minimum weight regulations for chassis and certain chassis components analogous to those for engines

Jean Todt explained that Ferrari was in favour of such measures as to date they were proving to be a positive step in terms of engine development. They proposed that the Technical Working Group be given a mandate by the FIA to conduct a proper investigation into this issue in order to save costs and improve safety. This was agreed.

The implementation of such measures was proposed for 2008.

Bodywork Regulations to reduce potential for aerodynamic development

Jean Todt explained that this would make the car simpler to design and could be an interim measure. However they felt that it might in the short term create extra expense and should therefore only be introduced within the package of new measures for 2008. This was agreed.

Bodywork Regulations to improve visibility of sponsors

Jean Todt explained that Ferrari felt that it was important to take this issue into account in the package of new measures for 2008. This was agreed.

Designs to be homologated and fixed for specified periods of time

Jean Todt explained that Ferrari was in favour of this as it would make component production more efficient and thus reduce costs. This could form part of the package of new measures for 2008. Ferrari would be in favour of two changes during the season in addition to the original
specification at the beginning of the season. The FIA was confident that it could control such a regulation and felt that it could be introduced as early as 2006.

Long life components

Ross Brawn had calculated that Ferrari would save at least 1.6 million if long life transmissions and uprights were introduced.

LATEST NEWS

more news >

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images

READERS COMMENTS

 

Sorry, comments are disabled for this article

Share this page

X

Copyright © Pitpass 2002 - 2024. All rights reserved.

about us  |  advertise  |  contact  |  privacy & security  |  rss  |  terms