FOTA shares FIA's cost cut aims

FIA president Max Mosley wrote to the teams earlier this week urging them to see through a number of rule changes that were rubber-stamped at the end of last year to help cut costs.

Although the letter suggests that teams are under pressure to continue making progress, ahead of a meeting at a Heathrow hotel today, senior figures with the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) insists there is nothing but 'constructive' discussion between the teams and the FIA.

A McLaren spokesman told autosport.com: "I can confirm that McLaren, along with all the teams, are attending a FOTA meeting today at a Heathrow hotel.

"Inevitably, Max's letter to the teams of January 5 will be discussed constructively in the context of aims shared by FOTA and the FIA in respect of cost-cutting initiatives, environmental initiatives and initiatives designed to improve the spectacle of Grand Prix racing generally."

Ferrari, whose president Luca di Montezemolo is chairman of FOTA, added: "We fully share McLaren's statement."

The teams and the FIA agreed a whole host of measures to reduce costs in December - including a reduction in wind tunnel use, extended engine life and a huge cut back in testing.