FIA President Jean Todt "resurrected the idea" of a "global engine" that could be used in both Formula 1 and other motorsport series, according to MOTORSPORT. The concept was previously proposed in the late '00s, when FIA commissioned British engineering consultancy Ricardo to "investigate the potential for a common rules package to create a base engine" that could be adapted for use in as many as 11 major series around the world. The '09 report "proposed that championships ranging from F1 and IndyCar to single-seater ladder categories, rallying, touring cars and prototype sportscars could use versions of the same engine," but the concept "fizzled out" amid concerns over cost and practicality from the targeted championships and manufacturers. But with "huge investment needed to produce engines for the current hybrid F1 regulations," Todt suggested that reviving the global rules concept "could be attractive." He said, "At the moment, each category of motorsport has its own single regulations, so probably we should try to see if we can have some synergies" (MOTORSPORT, 1/4).
BUSINESS DECISION: FOX SPORTS reported former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone "feels the sport would not be able to recover from losing Ferrari" if the team acts upon its "repeated quit threats." Ferrari, along with Mercedes and Renault, "are not happy" with the proposed vision for the future of F1 from '21. Ferrari claimed that it would leave F1 altogether should the proposed vision be implemented. Ecclestone "feels Ferrari will follow through with the threat," as its president, Sergio Marchionne, "only has eyes for good business opportunities." Ecclestone said, "Sergio can live without Formula 1. He is only interested in the business. I'm afraid that Ferrari can live without F1, but not vice versa" (FOX SPORTS, 1/4). AUTO BREAKING NEWS reported in his annual Christmas card, Ecclestone "poked fun" at his successor, Chase Carey, "but he denies he is bitter about the new Liberty Media era." Ecclestone: "On the contrary. I’m proud of Formula 1, and I want it to be good." He "applauded the fact that newly released figures show that TV and spectator figures rose" in '17 (AUTO BREAKING NEWS, 1/4).
