2013 engine rules delay ’almost certain’ - report

A postponement of the proposed 2013 engine rules is "almost certain", according to the authoritative Italian magazine Autosprint.

With engine makers including Ferrari, Mercedes and Cosworth no longer support the four-cylinder turbo regulations, FIA president Jean Todt has agreed to consider a delayed introduction date.

Following consultation with the suppliers, including Renault who have threatened to quit F1 if the 2013 rules do not debut as scheduled, Todt will make his decision at the end of this month.

"I personally feel we’ve got to seek a compromise," McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh, also chairman of the teams association FOTA, is quoted by the magazine Motorsport.

"If it were my call I’d probably go for a turbocharged V6," he revealed.

McLaren - like Mercedes GP and Force India - is powered by Mercedes-Benz, whose motor racing vice-president Norbert Haug said: "I think establishing rules and then have only two, three manufacturers who are committed is just a problematic situation that needs to be solved together."

Meanwhile, Autosprint reported that the full blown diffuser ban for 2012 will be policed by mandating that the exhausts exit at the top of the rear of the engine cover.

"It seems to have been Ferrari, represented at the (technical working group) meeting for the first time by Pat Fry, who proposed this solution," said the report.