The FIA has surprised Formula 1 teams by pushing ahead with its plans to introduce an alternative engine for the 2017 season.
The governing body had been expected to discuss the matter with F1’s 11 teams before it set the process in motion, however on Friday the FIA issued a document calling for potential candidates to apply for more information.
The deadline has been set for November 23rd, giving potential manufacturers just over a week to submit their interest in becoming the sole supplier of an alternative engine.
“The FIA has decided to launch a consultation among the engine manufacturers in order to potentially identify for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons of the aforementioned Championship an exclusive alternative engine manufacturer which will be solely entitled to supply this alternative engine to the competitors entered for said seasons of the Championship.
“The FIA is now calling for expressions of interest to identify candidates interested in becoming the exclusive supplier of the alternative engine to the competitors,” noted the statement.
No official details have been revealed about the engine spec, but it’s believed the most likely formula is a 2.2-litre twin-turbo V6, with a basic KERS package, rather than the current and rather sophisticated ERS systems currently in use.
The document states that any candidate must be “entirely independent of a major car manufacturer,” whilst also proving they have the ability to “raise and maintain sufficient funding to supply the alternative engine and associated spare parts”.
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