The FIA has received two replies to its call for interest in supplying an alternative engine for the Formula 1 World Championship in 2017, after the governing body issued a pre-tender last week.
Ilmor Engineering and Advanced Engineering Research have both confirmed their interest in supplying a 2.5 litre (or less) V6 engine, with no energy recovery system, producing a maximum output of 640KW (roughly 865bhp).
Both companies already produce an engine similar to what the FIA has set out in its technical requirements for an alternative engine, which is set to be introduced in 2017 in answer to Red Bull’s struggles to find a competitive power unit.
Ilmor currently supply IndyCar with a V6 engine which could form the basis of its proposal, whilst AER currently supply both Indy Lights and two LMP1 class teams in the WEC.
It’s expected that both Cosworth and Mecachrome will also submit their interest before the FIA’s November 23rd deadline, but neither have confirmed this.
Meanwhile the FIA is likely to face opposition at next week’s F1 Commission meeting, where it’s expected the alternative engine will be voted down, however the governing body could try and force the proposal through, citing force majeure.
