The governing body can impose a freeze from 2008, the first year after the expiry of the existing commercial agreement governing the sport, but had wanted to bring it forward to avoid "pointless and wasteful development work" for just one year.

The FIA argues that freezing engine development will cut costs, help reduce speeds and level the playing field between independent teams and the big-budget manufacturers.

The manufacturers had wanted to maintain the technological appeal of the sport with continuing development.