Engine makers still hopeful of compromise

Team bosses met several times on Saturday to try and find a compromise deal that will prevent a three-year engine homologation from 2008. So far the discussions have not been successful, but another meeting has been scheduled for Sunday morning.

With Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Toyota and BMW pushing hard to try and find a deal, with agreement needing to be reached before next week's Formula One Commission meeting, time is running out on finding a way forward.

But Mercedes-Benz motorsport boss Norbert Haug has not ruled out a compromise proposal being put forward that has the unanimous support of the teams.

"Well, wait and see," he said on Saturday when asked about the latest situation. "It is not a surprise that currently there is not a unanimous decision on it, but wait and see what will happen. It is too early to say."

Although FIA president Max Mosley has said this weekend that he does not believe the plans of the manufacturers to have part-homologation of engines is acceptable, Haug still thinks it would be better for the sport than a complete engine freeze.

"The majority of the teams see it as the right way," he said. "The right way is that you should have an upgrade over a period and that is the so-called Monaco Agreement. We think it is a very reasonable agreement."