Aon considers LPG power

Earle, whose Arena International is behind the Focus project, is due to resume testing of the car at Guadix in Spain in early February.

Tom Chilton is scheduled to drive the car with the latest specification Ford Duratec petrol engine. But Earle says the team is also exploring the use of liquid petroleum gas technology as a possible alternative.

Earle said: “We’ve considered an alternative fuel source and are currently evaluating a switch to LPG to see if there are possibilities for us.

“Given the increasing awareness of environmental issues – which motor sport in general needs to address – and the commercial opportunities that may exist, it makes sense for us to investigate the possibilities. It’s certainly something we would be interested in.”

Earle added: “We’re making improvements all the time to all areas of the car.

“Although we were competitive by the end of last season, that was against cars carrying success ballast which we didn’t have to. So we know there is more needed.

“The development continued at the end of the season and the new parts we were able to test before Christmas gave us some gains and there’s definitely more to come. Our aim is to start this season where we finished the last one – competing for race wins and if we can achieve that consistently then the championship becomes a possibility.”