We find out today...

[ArrowsFA1]

The FIA will unveil later today in Monaco the raft of cost cuts that look set to secure the sport's future.

No details of what was agreed have yet been released in public, but it is understood they revolve around dramatic cuts in testing - which perhaps go as far as a total in-season testing ban - plus reductions in wind tunnel work and aerodynamic development.

Furthermore, it is believed that the FIA will approve an 11th hour decision to drop plans for a standard engine for 2010 after the manufacturers agreed themselves to supply cheap power units to independent teams.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72449

[Knock-on]

Furthermore, it is believed that the FIA will approve an 11th hour decision to drop plans for a standard engine for 2010 after the manufacturers agreed themselves to supply cheap power units to independent teams.

Didn't see that one coming

[pino]

...and the winner is ? Luca di Montezemolo :

[Allyc85]

No in-season testing at all, surely not?? So they will be putting new parts on cars that havnt even been checked out on track, thats safe isnt it?

[BDunnell]

So, it turns out that Lewis Hamilton's remarks yesterday about the standard engine not happening, which sounded like a misreading of the situation to me, were correct. Excellent news for F1. See, it wasn't beyond the wit of man for them to cut costs and avoid the Cosworth option!

[ArrowsFA1]

Didn't see that one coming

Indeed, and what, I wonder, happens to Cosworth who bid for and won the contract which (it appears) may have now been dropped?

[Knock-on]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72442

I think we're missing the message here.

Max has been out "Maxed" I think. He held this threat of standard engines over the teams and they have responded with a package that has swamped him. It seems that the teams have finally started properly working together and have rewritten the FIA rule books by consensus.

So, next year, we will get closer, cheaper racing i think.

However, did you see the caveat at the end. You're forgetting Bernie in this little love-in.

Knockie hypothesis is this. Bernie is still hoping to charge top $$$ for the commercial right to F1 but is being battered by an increasing number of circuits. He is going to have to move his position and negotiate.

If FOTA can provide a united front with the teams and the FIA, they might secure additional funding from FOG/FOM thereby redressing the inequality in the sport.

I see Bernie as the rather meaty filling in a FOTA / FIA sandwich.

Knowing Bernie though, he's not too bothered as he's sold off 90% of the business and the 10% is in his estranged wife's name

[Knock-on]

Indeed, and what, I wonder, happens to Cosworth who bid for and won the contract which (it appears) may have now been dropped?

Well, we still have F2

[Mark]

No in-season testing at all, surely not?? So they will be putting new parts on cars that havnt even been checked out on track, thats safe isnt it?

That's why they should have an unrestricted Friday test day. So they can test new parts etc, without any restrictions on tyres, engines, etc.

[ArrowsFA1]

Well, we still have F2

Oh yeah. I do remember reading a while ago that someone has signed up to drive in that series, but they'll have Audi power.

Having just checked...Max said: "We have completed the tendering process and are now in exclusive negotiations with Cosworth together with Xtrac and Ricardo Transmissions (XR) to supply a complete Formula One power train starting in 2010."

I guess those negotiations will just stop