From GMM

The real political motive behind the Renault F1 Team's opposition to immediate Formula 1 testing cuts has now emerged.

When the French team recently vetoed plans to halve the current test limit to just 15,000 kilometres next year, some made a link between the news and the FIA's threats about more draconian measures, like standard engines.

But while team boss Flavio Briatore's links with the engine maker Mecachrome do exist, Auto Motor und Sport reports that the real link on this matter is between the Renault veto and the issue of engine parity.

Briatore confirmed to the German magazine that he is seeking the unanimous approval of the other team bosses so that Renault (and Honda) can get back up to speed amid the engine freeze.

He said being penalised with an underpowered engine for several years is unfair.

Additionally, the proposal to install a 5-million euro cap on the price of customer engine deals has been agreed to begin in 2011, Luca di Montezemolo has clarified.

It had been reported that the measure, believed to be designed to stave off the FIA's threat about standard engines, would begin in 2010.

The issue was voted upon by the F1 teams' alliance FOTA, of which Ferrari president Montezemolo is chairman, last week.

"We unanimously decided that by 2011 an engine will cost 5 million (euros), compared to the more than 20m they used to cost," he said.


Photo Credit : Renault