After meetings in Geneva, sources at the FIA said that F1's four manufacturers "have agreed a deal to reduce the cost of engines and ensure that no team is left without a supply," according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS.
In exchange, the manufacturers "were assured that the current V6 turbo hybrid power unit regulations would remain stable until at least 2020, staving off the threat of an alternative independent supplier being introduced." The agreement, details of which had yet to be finalized, "will come into force" in '18.
The four manufacturers -- Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and Honda -- "had agreed to come up with proposals by last Friday" with the FIA and commercial rights holder and F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone threatening to tender for an independent option if no progress was made (REUTERS, 1/19).
PEOPLE'S CHOICE: MOTORSPORT reported F1 fans will be asked to vote for a "driver of the day" and "best overtaking move" after each grand prix as part of an effort to improve interaction with the sport in the future. A "range of ideas were talked about as grand prix racing's chiefs look at ways to make the sport more popular."
Although some ideas -- like reverse grids and refueling -- did not get much support, "other tweaks did get backing and could come in to force as early as this year." One idea that will now be worked on "is for fans to choose stand out performances through social media after each race for drivers to be presented with trophies" (MOTORSPORT, 1/19).
