No penalty for the first engine change in 2008?

F1 drivers could each avoid, once in 2008, the well-known penalty of being moved back on the starting grid following an engine failure. This proposal was submitted to all teams and was rather well received!

A driver automatically incurs a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race if they change the engine during the practice sessions. Worse, if this change occurs between the start of Saturday’s qualifying and the start of the race on Sunday, the driver starts from the back of the grid.

But after discussion last week by the members of the management team, gathered in Paris, it was agreed that the first engine change of the season should not result in a penalty.

In a letter sent by FIA president Max Mosley to the teams, he confirms in writing this new development, which has been supported by the team principals.

« It was agreed that each team can have an engine failure and resort to a change without risk of penalty during the 2008 season, » wrote Mosley.

« This will be valid for the first engine failure of each car. »

This slight deviation from the rule is still just a proposal since it requires approval from the World Motor Sport Council, with a vote on the matter expected soon.