F1’s engine manufacturers, the FIA and commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone have agreed a plan that will reduce engine prices by 4 million Euros by 2018, and ensure that power unit performance is equalised to within three-tenths of a second.

Despite the plan getting majority support among teams, not everyone is in favour and Red Bull – which voted against it – remains unconvinced that the targets will be achieved.

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko told the official F1 website: “It is at least a step in the right direction but as always, the devil is in the detail.

“The price from where the reduction should be applied was not fixed. We have variations in engines from 16 million Euros up to 28 million. That is one issue.

“Then it is still wide open on how the [performance] convergence is going to work: if we really can stay within these three-tenths of a second that’s been calculated then we are okay – but there seems to be no guarantee on that.

“Another issue is, of course, that we have to be supplied with an engine – no matter what else happens – as the independent engine is now definitely off the table.”

Three-tenths gap agreement

Under the agreement signed between the manufacturers and the FIA, they have promised to equalise performance so that at the Barcelona circuit, the differences in power unit performance will be just three tenths of a second.

Marko believes that figure is important because he is convinced Red Bull can then make up any deficit with a better chassis.

“If the gap is no more than three-tenths then we have every chance in the world to do something with our chassis,” he explained. “That would put us back up in a position where we will win races again – and fight for championships again.

“But again, it all depends on whether everything is done the way it has been written down and decided.”