Cut costs,experiment more: FIA

Formula One teams will be allowed more technical freedom if they accept an optional budget cap of 40 million pounds next year,the sports governing body said in a statement on Thursday. The maximum number of cars permitted to enter the championship has also been increased from 24 to 26 with each team allowed two.

The International Automobile Federation FIA said that marketing and hospitality,drivers salaries and any fines and penalties would be exempt from the cap. So too would any dividends paid from profits relating to participation in the championship and any expenditure that the team could prove had no influence on performance in the championship.

The FIAs world motor sport council meeting in Paris on Wednesday had also agreed that engine costs will be excluded from the cap in 2010 to encourage manufacturer teams to take up the option. The cap will be policed by a new costs commission,consisting of a chairman and two commissioners to be appointed by the FIA for a three-year period and independent of all teams.

Those teams accepting the cost cap would be allowed to use movable front and rear wings and have engines free of any rev limits,while those with unlimited budgets would remain subject to restrictions.