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Posted at 7:27 a.m., Thursday, December 11, 2008

Autos: Hamilton concerned over standardized F1 engines

By ROB HARRIS
Associated Press

LONDON — Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton is against FIA president Max Mosley's idea of using a standardized engine for all F1 cars.

Mosley has called for the introduction of a low-cost Cosworth engine from the 2010 season as part of cost-cutting measures being discussed with the teams. The FIA World Motor Sport Council will vote on the proposals Friday in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

"I don't think that's going to happen. Formula One is a manufactured sport, and you won't have Formula One without the manufacturers," Hamilton said today. "What are you going to do? I can't imagine it (Formula One) ever being without Ferrari, without Mercedes Benz, without Renault.

"All these big companies are what make the sport, therefore there is a constructors' championship as well as a drivers' championship."

Last week, Japanese car manufacturer Honda pulled out of F1 so it could focus on its core business of making and selling cars during the global economic turmoil.

Mosley has warned that without drastic cost-cutting, Honda would struggle to attract a buyer for its team and others also could be forced to pull out.

"I understand there is a crisis, but I'm not going to get upset about it," Hamilton said. "That's the way the world is. I don't think it's as bad as it seems.

"Yes, we need to work together to improve certain things, but things are being put in motion so it's not like we're standing still. We are doing something about it."

Hamilton, who has a $111 million, five-year contract with McLaren, recognizes F1 must cut back on escalating costs.

Formula One Teams Association chairman Luca di Montezemolo said Thursday that drastic cost-cutting will create a new-look sport by 2012 with funding levels from the 1990s.

"The world is struggling, but they are always taking the right actions to make the sport cheaper," Hamilton said. "But every time they introduce something new, it costs more money, so it's about having a balance.

"They are doing the best job they can to be more cost effective — and I'm supportive of that."

Hamilton is choosing to focus not on F1's finances but instead on defending the title he clinched on the last lap of the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix in November to become the youngest Formula One champion in history.

"I have a job to do next year to win the world championship," Hamilton said. "As a team we focus on developing the car, not the stuff around that can possibly distract us from the job."

Hamilton was so focussed on winning that first title after losing out by one point in his debut season that he felt he didn't relax enough away from the circuit.

"Next year I am going to enjoy myself a little bit more," Hamilton said. "But it doesn't mean I'm going to be partying all the time, it just means I will have more time with my friends and hopefully get to do more social things."