01/09/2005
NEWS STORY
Little is being said about yesterday's meeting, in Milan, between the team bosses of the teams contesting the World Championship and FIA President, Max Mosley.
The talks, all part of the process to re-shape Formula One after the current Concorde Agreement runs out, at the end of 2007, are said to have been "positive", "tranquil" and "constructive", depend on who you listen to.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes the struggle continues, with Formula One, as we know it, only assured of three teams at present in 2008, Ferrari, Red Bull and Midland (Jordan).
The teams are also involved in talks with the Grand Prix Manufacturers Association, set up by BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Honda, Renault and Toyota.
At present we appear to be watching the long drawn out opening gambit in a very high powered game, and though the stakes are high, and the risks enormous, those involved are doing all that they can to persuade the rest of us that it is business as usual and that there is nothing to worry about when it comes to the future of our sport.
Elsewhere, Bernie Ecclestone rejects claims that SLEC, or even a slice of it, is up for sale, dismissing talks of consortiums and buy outs. Yet one has to wonder who gains most from 'leaking' such stories in the first place.
Max Mosley will be at Monza this weekend, and is scheduled to host a press conference on Friday. He will also, no doubt, hold further talks with the teams.