F1’s smallest teams have proposed a mid-season development freeze to cut costs from 2015.
After the powerful ‘Strategy Group’ teams recently vetoed plans for a budget cap, the FIA told disgrunted smaller teams to come up with alternate cost-saving measures that could be added to the sporting and technical rules next year. According to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, the headline proposal is for a freeze to car development after 1 July each season. “After that, only homologated parts may be used until the end of the season,” revealed correspondent Michael Schmidt.
Another proposal by the small teams is that the expensive flying-in of new car components will be banned after scrutineering at each grand prix. Not only that, teams would be free to buy steering wheels and chassis components from other outfits in the pitlane, while Friday morning practice will be axed, with cars entering ‘parc ferme’ conditions on the same day. Any proposals would have to be agreed by majority before June 30 in order to be included in the regulations for 2015.
