PARIS — Formula 1 must become less expensive and less environmentally irresponsible, the leader of the sport's regulatory body says.
Jean Todt, president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), invoked the ambitions of his predecessor, Max Mosley, who first proposed that F1 lead the way in developing new technologies for automobiles in 2006, and who in his last two years was embroiled in a battle with team owners and auto manufacturers over the astronomical cost of the global Grand Prix series.
Mosley stepped down last year after four terms — 16 years — as FIA leader.
"I am convinced that we absolutely must reflect the environment with new technologies," Todt said.
Todt, who formerly worked as manager of the Ferrari F1 team, advocated both initiatives in an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro. He said Gilles Simon, former Ferrari engine builder, will spearhead the technical innovation in his new role with the FIA.
Ambitious plans proposed by Mosley called for new technology in powertrains for racing cars to be introduced by 2009. Last year, most F1 teams experimented with kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS), which stored energy generated by braking systems to provide a power boost. KERS is already in use in some advanced production automobiles.
However, the innovation was dropped by most teams as the season progressed, and no teams plan to use KERS in 2010.
Economic change is also a must, Todt said, despite spending-cap efforts that were bitterly contested last year. He cited the effects on racing of the global economic crisis as justification for change.
"The cost-saving measures already taken are not sufficient," Todt said. "I am against limiting regulatory budgets, but if we want to perpetuate F1, it takes a real awareness and fundamental decisions."
Todt's former boss, Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo, called for other institutional changes as well, as cited in an Autosport article.
"We cannot accept huge gaps between drivers and the press and public," Montezemolo said. "In the past the pits was full of good-looking girls. Now it's like a concentration camp. And we need to overtake!"
Montezemolo said Ferrari would honor its commitment to compete through 2012 but threatened that, unless there are improvements in F1, "we will have motivation somewhere else."
Montezemolo was complimentary of Todt, but Ferrari was one of the antagonists in last year's battle over cost-cutting measures, and the threat to leave the sport was not clearly defined in the comments he made during the holiday week.
Inside Line says: The departure of manufacturers Honda, BMW and Toyota may give Todt more power in his call for revisions in the sport. — David Green, Correspondent
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