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VIENNA, Austria - Crucial talks about the future of Formula 1 are moving ahead as team bosses, International Automoile Federatioin president Jean Todt and F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone reportedly met in London.
The group discussed cost-reduction proposals to bridge the divide between F1's most competitive teams and the lower half of the grid where teams are angry about the lack of co-operation from their more powerful rivals.
Approved proposals will be presented to the federation's World Motor Sport Council in Munich, Germany, on June 26 2014. By then time will be up for any other meaningful cost-saving for 2015; after July 1 2014 only rules with a unanimous vote can be introduced for 2015.
FRIDAY PRACTICE TO BE DROPPED
Italy's Autosprint has reported that only two major rule changes are likely in 2015. The first reportedly voted through is a shake-up of the GP weekend format with Thursday's media activities and Friday morning practice both axed.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff told Sky News: "The idea came up, let's not do the Friday and save engine and gearbox miles - it's about one (less) engine a year. If not (a saving of) millions, it's at least a million or a million and a half."
Autosprint said F1 weekends in 2015 would now begin late on the Friday with two 45-minute practice sessions half an hour apart.
Lotus' Romain Grosjean was supportive: "As long as there's a GP and qualifying, that's the main thing!"
ONE ENGINE/GEARBOX LAYOUT
Another proposal voted for in London will force teams to keep a single engine-gearbox-rear suspension layout attached to the race chassis for the entire race weekend.
It is also rumoured that Ferrari was chided for its latest quit threat, while declining TV audiences and restless sponsors were also discussed.
Who do think will win the 2014 Austrian GP? Vote for your favourite driver in our homepage voting booth!
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 Austrian GP
The group discussed cost-reduction proposals to bridge the divide between F1's most competitive teams and the lower half of the grid where teams are angry about the lack of co-operation from their more powerful rivals.
Approved proposals will be presented to the federation's World Motor Sport Council in Munich, Germany, on June 26 2014. By then time will be up for any other meaningful cost-saving for 2015; after July 1 2014 only rules with a unanimous vote can be introduced for 2015.
FRIDAY PRACTICE TO BE DROPPED
Italy's Autosprint has reported that only two major rule changes are likely in 2015. The first reportedly voted through is a shake-up of the GP weekend format with Thursday's media activities and Friday morning practice both axed.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff told Sky News: "The idea came up, let's not do the Friday and save engine and gearbox miles - it's about one (less) engine a year. If not (a saving of) millions, it's at least a million or a million and a half."
Autosprint said F1 weekends in 2015 would now begin late on the Friday with two 45-minute practice sessions half an hour apart.
Lotus' Romain Grosjean was supportive: "As long as there's a GP and qualifying, that's the main thing!"
ONE ENGINE/GEARBOX LAYOUT
Another proposal voted for in London will force teams to keep a single engine-gearbox-rear suspension layout attached to the race chassis for the entire race weekend.
It is also rumoured that Ferrari was chided for its latest quit threat, while declining TV audiences and restless sponsors were also discussed.
Who do think will win the 2014 Austrian GP? Vote for your favourite driver in our homepage voting booth!
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 Austrian GP
