Clearly following Ron Dennis' advice, and showing hitherto unprecedented unity, the nine F1 teams that attended today's meeting with Bernie Ecclestone, have opted to wait and not rush into a decision.

The meeting, to which Ferrari, who have already agreed a new deal, were not invited, saw the teams discuss a number of issues, mainly concerning the FIA's proposals for cost cutting, but not Bernie Ecclestone's multi-billion pound cash incentive to sign up to F1 and abandon the proposed breakaway.

The nine team bosses called for a meeting with the FIA, scheduled for Friday (28) to be postponed until after the Bahrain Grand Prix.

According to Reuters, the teams and Ecclestone have issued a letter to the FIA president, Max Mosley, in which they claim that it is far too early to discuss the latest cost-cutting proposals and prefer instead to see the impact of the new measures in the first three races of the season.

"Whilst we share your desire to reduce the cost of participating in Formula One, it is critical that the fundamental values of Formula One are preserved to safeguard its long-term stability and success as the pinnacle of world motor sport," read the letter.

"Cost-cutting proposals should be evaluated in the wider context of the sport's appeal to its fans.

"In the meanwhile, we all fully recognise the need for a period of stability in our sport and we will adhere strictly to the spirit and letter of the 'Concorde Agreement' for the remainder of its term and we trust that the FIA will do likewise."

The nine teams agreed - further to the proposals made in Brazil - to adhere to a thirty-day test limit during the 2005 season.