The FIA’s World Motor Sport Council on Friday ratified an immediate ten-year freeze on formula one engine development. Between next year and 2017, each team may only use a 2007-spec engine design that is to be “delivered (to the FIA) no later than 31 March 2008″, a statement announced.


At the third annual Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco this week, FIA president Max Mosley explained the decision to freeze engines in formula one. “There is no need to develop an F1 engine any further. The engine runs at 19,000 rpm which is far faster than any comparable engine. It sounds good, it’s reliable and amazingly the six partially frozen engines of the current manufacturers are really evenly matched,” the Briton said in his keynote speech.

The FIA on Friday also announced that teams may only use one wind tunnel in 2008 and beyond, and banned 24 hour use of such facilities. The number of team personnel at races is also to be capped. (GMM)