Saturday, May 23, 2009

F1 TEAMS MEET AHEAD OF FURTHER TALKS WITH MOSLEY


Formula One's teams met Saturday ahead of more negotiations withmotor sport's governing body over a proposed budget cap for 2010.
The Formula One Teams Association met after qualifying for theMonaco Grand Prix, one day after discussions with FIA president MaxMosley.
The teams said they were united but still had to decide whetherto ask to extend the May 29 deadline for teams to enter the 2010championship.
"That's what we will discuss in the next meeting, what to dothen in that situation," BMW Sauber motor sports director MarioTheissen said after the meeting at Toyota's motor home.
Two entries - USF1 and Campos Racing - have already lodgedentries for next season. There are 26 grid spots available, enoughfor 13 teams.
"We welcome any new entries into Formula One," McLaren teamprincipal Martin Whitmarsh said. "It's a big task to jump intoFormula One, either with budget caps or not. We all have aresponsibility to find a positive way forward. There's got to be adetermination to retain 10 teams at least."Mosley is pushing through a voluntary €45 million ($60 million)cap for next year that has seen Ferrari and four other teamsthreaten to quit the sport as they believe it will create atwo-tier competition due to differing regulations.
Although Whitmarsh said there remained "fundamental differences"between all parties involved - which also includes F1 boss BernieEcclestone - he believed a "sensible compromise" could be achieved.
"There is a lot pressure on all sides to stay calm goingforward," Whitmarsh said. "There are obvious some differences abouthow we ensure a sustainable way forward."The teams are staying quiet on details of Friday's meeting atthe Monaco Automobile Club headquarters, saying only that it was a"positive" sit-down.
"But I have to say that we have not arrived at a solution,"Theissen said. "It's been a constructive meeting, (with)constructive decisions but it has to be put down on a piece ofpaper and then only can you tell what has been achieved."Theissen insisted the teams were united, even if some have madediffering public statements over the issues.
"So far we have managed to come to a joint decision on theissues put forward," the German said.

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