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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

Why newly independent Ferrari may be forced into fuel-efficient cars

The repercussions from Ferrari's pending transition into an independent automaker won't be understood for some time, but one of the biggest consequences could be that the iconic Italian marque will be forced into building more fuel-efficient vehicles.
As Wired points out, while Ferrari built fewer than 7,000 cars in 2013, its status as a public company could trigger pressure from shareholders to build more six-figure supercars and grand tourers. In turn, doing so could lead the company afoul of US Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, which dictate that any company that sells over 10,000 vehicles needs to maintain a certain fuel economy average across its fleet or risk fines.
With arguably its most popular model, the 458 Italia, hitting just 17 miles per gallon on the highway and its most efficient model, the turbocharged California T, stuck at 18 mpg, Ferrari isn't in a great place to hit the government's mandates (which are somewhat convoluted as Wired explains). The gist of the situation is that Ferrari will either need to continue limiting the number of vehicles it sells each year - a move that's certain to upset shareholders and irk its boss, Sergio Marchionne - or radically improve the fuel economy of its cars at the risk of performance. Rock, meet hard place.

Ferrari revealed the LaFerrari Aperta, and yeah, it's already sold out

We saw this one coming as far away as the mid-engine Corvette: The LaFerrari is getting a convertible version. Publically revealed Thursday at the Paris Motor Show, the LaFerrari Aperta promises the same performance as the regular LaFerrari – with an open-air design. We had seen it already, actually, but today brought confirmation that it will be called Aperta, not Spider. It's already sold out (duh) and will be limited to 209 copies. Two hundred of those go to regular people, or Ferrari customers anyway, and nine will be held back by the company to show off at events in 2017 as the automaker celebrates its 70th anniversary. Ferrari says the LaFerrari Aperta maintains the torsional rigidity and aerodynamics of the hardtop. The powertrain is the same: a V12 paired with an electric motor and KERS technology to generate 949 total horsepower. Meanwhile, Ferrari revealed details on five liveries to celebrate its 70th anniversary based on its current product line with a total of 350 units set to be produced. They are: The Steve McQueen, which takes inspiration from SMQ's iconic 1960s 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso. The Green Jewel, a green scheme based on the 365 P2 from Le Mans competition. The Stirling, which evokes a 250 GT Berlinetta SWB from 1961 driven to victory by Stirling Moss. The Schumacher, a red color scheme based on Ferrari's 2003 Formula One car piloted to seven victories by Michael Schumacher. The White Spider, a tribute to the 375 MM Pinin Farina Spider. The company also showed the rear-wheel-drive, turbo V8-powered GTC4 Lusso T for the first time at an auto show. As you can tell, the Paris show is a busy one for Ferrari. That's fine with us. Related Video: Featured Gallery Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta: Paris 2016 View 21 Photos Related Gallery Ferrari LaFerrari Spider Related Gallery Ferrari 488 Spider 70th Anniversary Edition: Paris 2016 View 10 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / Autoblog Design/Style Paris Motor Show Ferrari Convertible Performance ferrari laferrari 2016 paris motor show ferrari laferrari spider ferrari laferrari aperta