London ? Formula One is promoting changes intended to make competition more affordable and ensure the stability of the series.

The International Automobile Federation sent a letter to F1’s 10 team chiefs touting long-life engines and cost-cutting measures designed to retain independent teams.

“The way to guarantee the long-term health and stability of the championship is to make sure there is a solid group of independent teams which do not depend on the presence of manufacturers for their survival,” FIA president Max Mosley said.

“We can rely on the independent teams. We cannot rely on the manufacturers. If the cost of competitive racing is low, we can have full grids and a healthy Formula One.”

Mosley’s letter, sent Friday, discussed proposals first raised last month.

Under the changes, teams are to be limited to one engine per car, per weekend next year. The engines must last two races in 2005 and six races in 2006. Teams currently can go through several engines in a racing weekend.

Independent teams Prost and Arrows folded in 2002, and others are struggling to raise sponsorship money. The season, which starts March 9 in Melbourne, Australia, will have 20 cars on a grid designed for 24.

The seven manufacturers involved in Formula One are Ferrari, Ford, Mercedes, BMW, Renault, Holden and 2002 debutante Toyota.

Mosley said the use of long-life engines could save substantial money as early as next year.

“In three years, we would have gone from an absurd and unsustainable $20 million per team to just $1.6 million,” Mosley said. “At $100,000 per race this is still very expensive, but is probably manageable.”

Mosley said the introduction of long-life gearboxes, suspension, bodywork and other components would also make it more affordable.

¢

Fittipaldi takes new role: Emerson Fittipaldi won races and championships as a driver. Now he’ll try to do the same as a team owner.

Fittipaldi announced Monday he has formed a partnership with James Dingman and will campaign a car in the 2003 CART Champ Car World Series for rookie Tiago Monteiro of Portugal.

The Fittipaldi-Dingman Racing entry raises the number of cars entered in the series to 19 heading into the season-opening race Feb. 23 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Fittipaldi, from Brazil, won two championships in Formula One and one in CART, as well as two Indianapolis 500s before a neck injury ended his driving career in 1996 at age 50.

¢

IROC series loses sponsor: The International Race of Champions series has lost its long-running title sponsor for 2004.

True Value had partnered with IROC for the past 19 years. IROC officials said Monday that they were still searching for a replacement.

The year’s first IROC race is Friday at Daytona International Speedway.