18/11/2005
NEWS STORY
According to Pitpass sources, a number of team principals, including Ferrari's Jean Todt, John Howett (Toyota), Nick Fry (BAR) and Flavio Briatore (Renault), met up in Monaco this week at the instigation of F1 supremo, Bernie Ecclestone.
This would appear to indicate that Ecclestone, who up until now has been dismissive of the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association (GPMA), is clearly taking it a lot more seriously than he would have us believe. Furthermore, it demonstrates that he is at least making an effort to listen to the manufacturers, or at least wishes to be seen to be making the effort.
That said, we hear that nothing of any real significance came out of the meeting.
Pitpass understands that the sticking point - regards the manufacturers and F1 - isn't Ecclestone or even money, but the attitude of the FIA and the governance of the sport.