06/12/2004
NEWS STORY
Bernie Ecclestone will today meet with the ten team bosses in an attempt to decided a number of issues, including a limit on testing and the introduction of a 'control tyre'.
In Brazil, under the guidance of Minardi boss Paul Stoddart, who was clearly working under the guidance on A N Other(s), nine of the ten teams that comprise the Formula One World Championship, signed a proposal whereby testing would be limited during the season.
Ferrari however, which had not attended the meeting, refused to sign, saying that the proposal was naive and unworkable.
At the time, the (nine) teams agreed to take part in 19 races this year, accepting a lower than normal payment for participating in the two extra events - the British and French Grands Prix. At the time, the (mainly British) media claimed that by not signing the proposal Ferrari was effectively endangering both events, this has since shown to be untrue, with Ecclestone and the British Racing Drivers' Club, owner of Silverstone, still failing to agree terms.
Originally, a meeting of the Formula One commission had been scheduled for the end of the week, however this has been cancelled and will now take place in January.
Therefore, as teams look at ways to drastically cut costs, it's hoped that some sort of agreement will be reached today, though it looks doubtful. Once again, the nine teams are threatening to act as a 'block', a rarity in F1, yet Ferrari appears resolute, particularly in its approach to testing. Last week's confirmation that the Italian outfit's 2005 car will not be introduced until the third or fourth round of the championship, suggests that the Scuderia has no intention of cutting back on testing, far from it.
Meanwhile, in the High Court in London, it's expected that there will be a ruling which could massively impact the future of the sport and its governance.
Judge Park will today give his verdict as to whether the three banks which own 75% of Formula One should have voting rights.
In recent weeks, despite claims that his reign over F1 might be coming to an end, Ecclestone has seemed remarkably calm. The fact that he has chosen to attend the meeting with the team bosses, rather than going to the High Court to hear the ruling in person, is perhaps a sign that he remains confident that his control over the sport will continue.