As ever in formula one, the future is always just around the next bend. On Tuesday, at Bernie Ecclestone's behest, representatives of the four engine manufacturers - Mercedes, Renault, Ferrari and newcomer Honda - will get together in Geneva.
The F1 supremo wants them to talk about a new beginning for F1 in 2016, having briefed them to consider a new, more powerful, cheaper and louder engine formula. According to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, Ecclestone also wants more aggressive-looking cars that are more difficult to drive and exciting to watch.
But Niki Lauda, team chairman at new world champions Mercedes, urges against haste. "Something sensible can really only be done if we give ourselves until 2017," he argues. "And Honda would not have built this new engine for one season only. You need some stability, otherwise everything is insanely expensive," Lauda added.
Before 2016 dawns, however, the 2015 world championship will be run and won, and at present it is not even clear how many cars will be on the grid. Marussia and Caterham, for instance, are under administration, and Caterham is not committing even to the opening test at Jerez in 27 days time. "Talks with interested parties continue," joint administrator Henry Shinners told the BBC on Monday, "but if a buyer is not found before the test, we will not put up the money to go."
One person definitely planning for the winter test period, however, is Williams tester Susie Wolff, who is apparently scheduled to run in the 2015 car at Barcelona. On Monday, she uploaded a video to Youtube depicting her in training, and revealed on Twitter: "With 6 weeks until my first test in the FW37, it's full focus on fitness and preparation." (GMM)
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