Sochi - A plan for cheaper engines and closer racing has been approved by the Formula 1 Commission and is set to be confirmed by the World Motor Sport Council, according to paddock sources close to the International Motoring Federation (FIA).
The plan was backed by votes cast by fax and emails after an earlier effort to support the plan, agreed by the engine manufacturers at the 2016 Chinese Grand Prix, at a meeting on Tuesday was abandoned.
Formal and official confirmation of the Commission's approval is not expected until later on Friday, ahead of a deadline on Saturday set by the FIA president Frenchman Jean Todt.
Reduce costs in F1
The plan embraces agreement by the engine manufacturers to back a long-term plan to reduce the number of power-units used to just three per driver from 2018.
The plan also brings in the use of standard parts, common installations for energy storage and control electronic systems.
It is hoped to reduce the costs for customer teams by one million euros for 2017 and by three million for 2018.
Manufacturers are also expected to commit to guaranteeing to supply power units at a fixed cost for all teams, following Red Bull's embarrassing hunt for new engines last year.