[Raceboy]

Irvine slams new engine rules

Jaguar star thinks new regs devalue F1 as a sport




Irvine disagrees with the new rules

Jaguar ace Eddie Irvine has spoken out against the new engine rules that will come into force in 2004.

The Ulsterman has blasted the regulations, which were rubber-stamped by legislating body the FIA World Council today (Wednesday), for making F1 "manufactured" as a sporting spectacle.

In two years' time, each car will be limited to one engine per grand prix weekend. If a motor has to be changed or a driver has to swap to a spare car before the race, he will be relegated 10 places on the grid.


"F1 is a sport, not Hollywood," Irvine told Radio 5 Live. "We have got to keep the spectacle as good as possible, but not by being manufactured."

The changes have been introduced in a bid to cut costs. But Irvine reckons the ruling has missed the point. "I can't see why we can't set a limit of three engines: one for Friday, one for Saturday and one for Sunday," he said. "We burn more engines in testing than we do at races."

bron: autosport.com