Formula 1 close to deal on engine freeze

FIA said engine development would be frozen beginning with the Chinese GP on October 1. Engines used in that race will be the only ones allowed for the next four seasons.

Formula One is close to a deal that will freeze costly engine development for the next four seasons.

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FIA president Max Mosley and Burkhard Goeschel, the chairman of the Grand Prix Manufacturers Association, met on Monday to specify engine regulations through the 2010 season.

The GPMA represents the major engine builders - BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Honda, Renault and Toyota.

In a statement, the FIA said engine development would be frozen beginning with the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on October 1. Engines used in that race will be the only ones allowed for the next four seasons.

"These will be the only engines used from and including the 2007 season," the FIA said.

The deal would also include 2008, 2009 and 2010. However, a spokesman for the GMAC said final details still needed to be worked out.

"Talks are moving in the right direction, but it's a bit premature to talk of a final agreement," GPMA spokesman Xander Heijnen said.