Monday March 18th, 2002

Owners and bosses of the 11 Formula One teams will meet in Paris on Tuesday for potentially stormy discussions over a controversial plan to overhaul Grand Prix racing.

FIA chief Max Mosley is planning to cut the costs of the big-money F1 bonanza by shortening weekends, reducing testing and taking away engines. There was a series of drawn-out meetings between the team bosses during the Malaysian Grand Prix event last weekend, but they served only to widen the variation in views on the issue.

A compromise, in which the existing three-day weekend remains virtually unchanged, may prove one of the outcomes but a source at the FIA has suggested the proposal of only one engine for each of the teams' cars over the entire weekend is likely to go through.

"We have spoken to nearly all of them in one way or another and no-one has been able to provide a rational argument against it," said the FIA source.

"The only argument is that some have developed engines for next year that will not be as useful as they originally planned. But if the majority of the teams are in favour it will be able to pass the Formula One commission."

Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw and Minardi chief Paul Stoddart have both been adamant that a significant cut in costs is immediately required if the teams that lack manufacturer backing are to survive.

But most of the major teams, who are either part-owned or heavily-backed by car manufacturers, oppose changes because they can afford to run massive specialist test teams and have plenty of resources to cope with life in modern Formula One.

McLaren chief Ron Dennis, asked about Friday's talks, said: "The meeting lasted four and a half hours and I was one of those people who walked out of that meeting having felt we had agreed to a whole series of changes.

"We embrace everything that can save money, but you have to be very careful that you don't damage the fabric of F1 and, in applying any measure, it must be something which influences everybody the same.

"I felt that the teams that fell into the categories of 'haves', versus the 'have-nots', reached out a very, very long distance to try and help the so-called 'have-nots'.

"To be honest, it becomes a bit difficult when most of them have private jets, large homes and boats and they are pleading poverty. I am fortunate enough that I can afford those things personally. Not corporately.

"If I found myself uncompetitive, because of not having money, I would sell those things in order to become competitive."

The crucial talks in Paris are, however, likely to achieve some conclusion, and if an agreement can be made the new shape of Formula One will be decided on Tuesday.

Published at 12:13:51 GMT