Carmakers Renew Dialogue with Mosley

BMW board member Burkhard Goeschel, McLaren boss Ron Dennis and Toyota representatives Tsutomu Tomita and John Howett met with Mosley to discuss rules proposals that they submitted to the FIA earlier this week.

And although the details of those proposals have not been made public, McLaren's F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh said at the Hungaroring on Friday that he was hopeful common ground was being found with the FIA in planning a unified set of rules for 2008.

"It was a very good meeting," said Whitmarsh. "I think both sides were able to establish they were much closer to one another than had perhaps been supposed, but I am sure in due course we will see some fruits from it."

Whitmarsh also clarified that the non-Ferrari teams would continue to be strongly involved in helping the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association (GPMA) in their plans, even though they are not formally involved with the organisation.

"GPMA is an association of manufacturers, the teams relate to it because they have common interests," he explained. "I think the manufacturers are taking a very responsible role in trying to help guide the future of Grand Prix motor racing.

"At the moment nine of the teams, including Red Bull and Jordan, are participating in those meetings and that process. Clearly, in time, we hope all the teams will participate together and take Formula One forward in an appropriate manner, but there is no formal relationship.

"It stems really from we have a vested in improving the sport and finding a positive way forward in 2008."