F1 ’close’ to engine solution - Todt

Jean Todt says he is confident F1 is moving towards a solution on the thorny topic of engines.

The manufacturers had been given a deadline of January 15 - Friday - to come up with alternate proposals to the controversial idea of ’parallel’ engine rules.

"I think we are very close," said the FIA president, amid speculation the carmakers want to keep the current ’power units’ but will agree to sell them to customers at a much lower price.

Todt said the proposals will be aired at Monday’s strategy group meeting in Geneva.

Also to be discussed there, he said, is the renewed idea of bringing back refuelling, and whether it would help to spice up an increasingly criticised sport.

"At least we should discuss it," said Todt.

He also played down suggestions that the 21-race calendar for 2016 is too long, saying: "If you love motor sport and have access to it, you have to be happy.

"We must not forget that there are people in the world who do not have any access — even to drinking water."