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Formula 1 seeking independent engine supplier

Formula 1 could get a new engine supplier in the near future, if Bernie Ecclestone and the independent teams gets their way. According to Autosport, the FIA is soon to open the contract up for bids, and there are already several manufacturers that have expressed interest. Currently Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault, and Honda supply engines – both to their own premier teams (Red Bull and McLaren for the latter two) but also to other teams like Williams, Sauber, and Toro Rosso. Because the new turbocharged V6 hybrid power units cost those four suppliers so much to develop, they're charging their customer teams big bucks – around $20-30 million per season – to provide the engines. These costs are much higher than the $10 million or so it used to cost to purchase a V8 engine under the previous regulations. Ecclestone figures it's time to bring in another supplier who will not run their own team and not play favorites, but will supply engines to private teams at a lower cost. There are already a number of potential suppliers under consideration. One of them is said to be Cosworth, which has a long history in the series stretching back to 1963. The British firm stepped back between 2007 and 2009, returned in 2010, and dropped out again after 2013. The development could be of particular benefit to Red Bull, which has been unable to find an engine supplier and could be forced out of the series as a result. The team has long been powered by Renault, but that relationship has grown sour. And the other three engine manufacturers have not been forthcoming in offering an alternative arrangement for the team. Related Video: News Source: AutosportImage Credit: Cosworth Motorsports Ferrari Honda Infiniti McLaren Mercedes-Benz Renault F1 engine contract

Ferrari FF pitted against Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser in crazy Generation Gap comparison

The folks behind Generation Gap have lost their minds with this latest video. The goal here is to determine the ultimate family cruiser, but the choices are what you would least expect, with a heavily modded 1970 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser going up against a 2012 Ferrari FF.
You might anticipate an over-40-year-old Oldsmobile to pale in comparison to any modern Ferrari, but this wagon has a ton of secrets under its skin thanks to Lingenfelter. First, it packs a supercharged LS3 V8 with a claimed 650 horsepower and a six-speed manual gearbox. That big upgrade in power is further helped with air suspension and massive Wilwood disc brakes. The result is nothing short of deafening, with blaring yelps whenever the driver even nudges the accelerator.
The alternative sounds just as good, albeit in very different way. The Ferrari's 6.3-liter V12 pumps out 651 hp and 504 pound-feet with a part-time all-wheel drive system. While the FF lacks a lot of the hauling ability of the Olds, it makes up for the deficit in handling, luxury, and in many eyes, simply by having the famous prancing horse on the grille.

Ecclestone against F1 cockpit protection

Bernie Ecclestone has made it clear that he is not a fan of the Red Bull Aeroscreen, which was tried by Daniel Ricciardo on Friday, in Sochi. The FIA will continue to study both the Red Bull device and Ferrari's Halo, and will make a decision by July 1 about which will be added to the 2017 rules. "We're going to get a lot of pitstops now when they have to stop to clean the screen and things," he said when asked by Motorsport.com about the Aeroscreen. "That will be good." Asked if he liked the look of it or preferred the Halo, he said: "Not particularly. I don't like any of them," adding that the sport should do "nothing" with regard to cockpit protection. "I just think to try to simulate something when you've got a stationary object, and you're firing a tyre at it, when in the race when the wheel has come off normally both cars would be moving. "So how can you simulate it by having a car stationary? And how would you ever know what's going to happen with a wheel anyway? "If it hits the thing it would probably bounce off anyway. So I don't know," Ecclestone added. Quizzed on Lewis Hamilton's suggestion that danger was part of the appeal of the sport he said: "In his case I don't know whether the money made any difference as well. "We can make it more dangerous if he wants." Related Video: This story, by Adam Cooper, originally appeared on Motorsport.com, the world's leader in auto racing news, photos, and video. Image Credit: Dan Istitene/Getty Motorsports Ferrari Safety Racing Vehicles F1 bernie ecclestone halo