This week's meeting of the F1 Strategy Group and F1 Commission produced nothing of real worth.

Whilst it was agreed that the sport has seen the back of Bernie Ecclestone's universally hated double points, and plans to introduce re-starts following Safety Car periods were scrapped, there was no agreement on the more pressing issues facing the sport.

Ecclestone had already revealed that his controversial double points idea - initially proposed for the final three races of the season - wouldn't see the light of day again, but Charlie Whiting's idea of re-starting races following Safety Car periods was rejected by teams and drivers, mainly on safety grounds.

However, this week's meeting of the F1 Strategy Group, which is comprised of the six bigger teams, Ecclestone, FIA president Jean Todt and the F1 Commission, on which all the teams are represented, as are circuits and sponsors, didn’t see progress in terms of costs or an engine unfreeze.

Heading into the winter, with Marussia appearing to have gone to the wall, Caterham fighting to survive and three other teams pleading (F1) poverty, the sport is seeking a way in which to reduce costs and also the gap between the haves and have-nots.

In terms of the F1 prize pot, Ecclestone has said that it cannot be increased and that for the smaller teams to receive a bigger slice would mean the bigger teams agreeing to take a smaller cut.

Similarly, self-interest and the 'I'm alright Jack' mentality dominates discussion of an engine unfreeze, Mercedes, in some ways understandably unwilling to allow its rivals to try and close the gap.

Therefore, one might view this week's proposals - which are now put forward for the World Motor Sport Council next week, as tidying the deckchairs on the Titanic.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by chris.wright, 02/12/2014 22:10

"I would like to see a second class set up using GT (Production) engines and transmissions. GT racing is going through the roof so costs should not be prohibitive. The "GT" class should be given extra benefits in aero and perhaps fuel consumption to allow it to be competative.
To me this would allow the top end teams to continue to run the hybrid technology but the smaller non-manufacturer teams would be able to compete and stay afloat. The sound of the different GT engine would also excite.

And yes eventually I would see the "GT" class would take over.
"

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2. Posted by gturner38, 29/11/2014 18:40

"What's unsporting about Mercedes saying they should continue to observe the engine freeze that the teams agreed to in the first place? I guarantee Ferrari wouldn't give an inch if they had built the best engine, nor should they. "

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3. Posted by ape, 28/11/2014 23:13

"Maybe they can make a two-tier championship . one championship for Merc powered cars and one for the rest...."

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4. Posted by F One, 28/11/2014 18:03

"It's all riding on Honda then to rescue us from another terrible season of mind numbing Mercedes domination."

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5. Posted by Spindoctor, 28/11/2014 13:06

"Whilst I still consider Mercedes' attitude a bit unsporting, I don't recall Mr Horner suggesting that wind-tunnel & testing restrictions be "unfrozen" so that other teams could catch-up with his RBR cars during their 4 years of dominance....

As currently set-up, in a highly regulated & restrictive environment, any team that steals a serious march on its competitors is well set-up to dominate. RBR's aero advantages were whittled away, but never really overcome until 2014, with the new Engine formula."

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6. Posted by Hondawho?, 28/11/2014 10:44

"One can only hope that they all know what they are doing. It usually works out OK, but the times we are in are NOT usual! IMHO."

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No agreement on engine unfreeze

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