An alternative F1 engine "could still be on the cards" after F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone suggested that "he would pay for its development," according to William Esler of SKY SPORTS.
Late in '15 the FIA "called for an expression of interest in providing F1 with a budget engine from 2017 onwards after Ferrari vetoed proposals to impose a cost cap on customer supplies of the current V6 hybrid unit."
Those proposals "appeared to have been shelved after the manufacturers agreed in January to reduce the price they sell their engines." However, the subject "looks set to return after Ecclestone hinted he would be willing to pick up the development tab for a new engine to ensure a closer and more competitive F1 grid." He said,
"I've proposed that we would engage with a manufacturer to make a power unit that would develop the same kind of power as the current power units are developing. We will contract for whatever it costs and we will supply it to the teams for £7 million ($10M) rather than the £26 million ($37M) or £28 million ($40M) that they pay now." Force India COO Otmar Szafnauer "is all for reducing costs," but is not sure that a new engine is the route to take. Szafnauer said,
"I have reservations as to what that is going to do to the sport. We can't have a two tier power train, although we are all for lower cost engines. In the days of the V8 we had engines at €8 million and now they are twice that" (SKY SPORTS, 3/11).
