Todt ‘optimistic’ ahead of engine meeting

Jean Todt will meet with F1's engine manufacturers on Monday to discuss power units, hopeful that a cost-cutting solution can be found.

Last year the FIA proposed introducing a budget power unit after Ferrari used their veto power to block plans for a maximum price for the engine/gearbox package.

In the wake of that meeting, F1's engine manufacturers – Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Honda – stated that they would put forward their own proposals for reducing costs which were due in on Friday.

Todt, the president of motorsport's governing body, will now meet with them to discuss their ideas.

"I have had proposals and most of the items I feel are going in the right direction and on Monday afternoon, at 3pm, we have a strategy meeting in Geneva," he told Sky Sports F1. "The day after we have the F1 Commission in Geneva."

The Frenchman is "optimistic" that Formula 1 can find a way forward.

"I think we are very close," he added. "I am optimistic.

"I hope that people have some good sense because it is our championship. It is in our interests, it is in the interests of the team, it is in the interests of the commercial rights holder.

"I think in a normal world with sensible people we should all be able to agree on a good solution."