"Success will come to...

"Success will come to the teams with the best ideas, not only the teams with the most moneyтЂќ Max Mosley

ItтЂ™s all change for Formula One from 2010, as the sport faces another big rules shake-up. Under radical new proposals, teams will be asked to sign up to a voluntary budget cap of ТЈ30million тЂ“ around 10 times less than the top squads currently spend!

The changes have been put forward by the sportтЂ™s governing body, the FIA, in response to the global financial crisis. Teams that agree to the cuts will be given greater freedom in the design and construction of their cars than those who donтЂ™t. According to the plans, cost-capped machines could make use of movable aerodynamics aids, while limits on testing and wind tunnel time would be lifted.

On top of this, teams would be able to ignore the current engine development freeze, and would not be subject to any rev limit, either.Т  Also being considered are larger capacity KERS systems, to boost power outputs further. тЂњThese rules will encourage clever engineering,тЂќ claimed FIA president Max Mosley. тЂњSuccess will come to the outfits with the best ideas, not only those with the most money.тЂќ However, the ТЈ30m budget cap has to include the salaries of drivers and team personnel.

The only things not included in the annual total will be a squadтЂ™s motorhomes and any fines that are imposed by the FIA.

Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo was unimpressed by the proposals, though. тЂњThe framework of the rules is potentially confusing for car manufacturers, teams, the public and sponsors,тЂќ he said.

тЂњThey also run the risk of turning on its head the very essence of F1 and the principles that make it one of the most popular and appealing sports.тЂќ ItтЂ™s expected that the proposals will be finalised and approved over the coming months.