04/12/2008
NEWS STORY
The teams that form FOTA, the Formula One Teams Association, are meeting in Geneva today as the sport looks ahead to 2010 and beyond.
A number of important issues are on the agenda, most notably the FIA's demands for cost cutting. In it determination to reduce costs, the FIA is considering a number of options which would change the sport, not necessarily for the better, the most controversial being the introduction of a standard customer powerplant.
Another move to cut costs will see the teams agree to reduce testing by as much as fifty percent, while there is talk of a change to the qualifying format and even a 'shoot out' competition to boost fan interest on the Fridays of GP weekends. It is understood the teams will also discuss Bernie Ecclestone's proposal that the current points system in the Drivers' Championship is replaced by the awarding of medals, the F1 supremo having previously claimed that he has the support of the teams.
All eyes are on today's meeting in Geneva, for if FOTA is unable to come up with a compromise, the World Motor Sport Council, which meets in Monaco next week, will push ahead with Max Mosley's proposals.
"The goal of the meeting is to define a common proposal for the future at short and medium term," said Luca Colajanni. "A lot has been defined for 2009, more is to come for 2010 and 2011 to reduce costs and improve the show. These are the leading principles.