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F1 teams want 2010 rules scrapped
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-05-26 08:16
MONACO: Formula One's governing body suggested on Sunday that a budget cap could be postponed to 2011 while teams called for next year's rules to be scrapped in return for a pledge to stay in the sport. The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) wants to introduce an optional 40 million pound ($63.74 million) cap for 2010 to help new teams enter and ensure the survival of existing competitors. FIA president Max Mosley told Reuters at the Monaco Grand Prix, however, that a higher figure could be agreed for next year before the full cap in 2011. Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali told reporters after the race that the teams association FOTA had written to the FIA seeking guarantees and putting forward their own proposals. "What we have asked is to go back to the rules of this year, the 2009 rules," he said. "And then see together what we can do in order to make changes for the next year." Mosley said one or two manufacturers might leave at the end of the season, with or without a cap, but he was confident that champions Ferrari would remain despite a threat to quit. "I think one or two of them may have to stop, but nothing to do with these discussions," he said. "It is very difficult for a major manufacturer to continue in Formula One when they are doing economies in their factories like shutting off every other lift, turning down the electricity, not cleaning the windows, not serving coffee at the meetings.
"A company that is in that sort of situation is unlikely to go on pouring massive money into Formula One," said the Briton. Former champions Renault, who are facing a gaping hole in their team budget after main sponsor ING announced their departure at the end of the year, and Toyota are seen as the most uncertain. Japan's Honda have already walked away, their place taken by championship leaders Brawn GP. The 2010 regulations published last month included the optional cap, with teams who accept it granted greater technical freedom than those remaining with unlimited budgets. Ferrari have said that would create an unacceptable two-tier series and have threatened to walk away. So too have Renault, Toyota and the two Red Bull teams. "I am confident Ferrari will still be here," said Mosley. Mosley met Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo in Monaco on Friday, after an inconclusive meeting with teams bosses in London the previous week, and the Briton said the talks were progressing well although an agreement was still some way off. "We can see solutions now. I don't think there is any fundamental diversity of view," he said. "The main stumbling block really is the same old thing, trying to reconcile the people who have got a lot of money at the moment and think they will continue to have a lot, with the interests of those who haven't, and trying to keep a full grid." Reuters (China Daily 05/26/2009 page22) |
