Wurz backs Sauber over engine cost limits

GPDA chief Alex Wurz has backed Sauber over the future direction of F1's engine rules.

Former Williams driver Wurz, now chairman of the F1 drivers' union, linked on Twitter to a story promoted by a news agency headed by his wife Julia.

The story said that amid talks for louder and more powerful engines for 2017, Sauber chief Monisha Kaltenborn was calling for a reduction in cost.

"Very much agree with Sauber," Austrian Wurz said.

"First engine rule must be 'customer cost limitation' to ensure sustainability.

"Annual cost of F1 power unit shall have upper cost cap rule," Wurz added. "Otherwise F1 customer teams fund engine manufacturers F1 activity."

Cosworth's former F1 chief Mark Gallagher agreed: "This is what Cosworth proposed in 2010-11 when new rules were under development. None of the OEMs (manufacturers) was interested.

"The regs, costs, engine sound etc were set in early 2011," he added. "Teams? Not involved in the detail.

"Bernie Ecclestone was not consulted on the regs or prices of the new power units. Nothing to do with him," Gallagher concluded.

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