How long is long term partnership ?
I admit that when I read yesterday the reports about the Cosworth standard engine deal being as good as done what caught my eye was that besides Williams, Force India, Red Bull and Toro Rosso also Renault is to be one of the teams interested in running it. But after digesting the information for a while I realized that I would not be really surprised if Renault indeed went down that road. Since last night however few other questions popped up in my mind:
1) Force India – Did not they exactly a month ago announce their multi year partnership with McLaren ?:
“In a unique long term deal, the Force India Formula One Team VJM02 cars will be powered by engines designed and built by Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines, the first time that the legendary manufacturer has supplied another chassis constructor other than McLaren.”
2) Toro Rosso – OK, they are interested in signing up for the Cosworth engines but what chassis will they put those engines into in 2010 ? Will they still be around ?
3) What will those engines actually look like ? The updated 2.4 litre V8s last seen in the back of Williams cars in 2006 ? Or those new smaller 1.8 litre turbocharged beasts that FOTA proposes ? The letter from Max Mosley to all team principals talks about existing engines (if used) having to match the performance indicators of the standard engine. Recently there was also talk about high-tech V4 engine, interim engines till 2013 (both ideas by FIA) or new V6 from 2011 (FOTA) – see this letter from Mosley to FOTA.
FIA and FOTA are to meet today, FIA’s World Motor Sport Council meeting is scheduled for Friday.
Photo: Force India F1
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[...] det har dock Renault själva tonat ner sitt intresse något skriver autosport. Men! Precis som f1wolf påpekar, vad med Force India? Det var ju bara kort tid sen de annonserade ett långsiktigt [...]
Renault have responded to the reported interest in standardized engines by denying any break from FOTA. Now, knowing that Force India announced the deal with McLaren and Renault denying previous reports of their agreement, I’m just not convinced the 5 teams supposedly in agreement are really 100% committed.
I need to hear more directly from these teams to know exactly what they agree on.
BMWF1guys last blog post..BMW Sauber Day 1 Testing in Jerez
yes, Renault responded, but what did they actually say
?
“Following speculation that appeared this morning in the Italian press, the ING Renault F1 Team would like to state that the positions of the Team and Renault are in complete accordance to those of the FOTA.
We would like to point out that neither Mr. Briatore nor Renault have spoken to the press regarding this matter before this official press release.”
Seems to me carefuly crafted response that reveals nothing
HAHA That’s their usual way, say something without telling anything
Kotenoks last blog post..
[...] Those Cosworth engines – Something does not add up here [...]