GPMA not discussing entry window

Although FIA president Max Mosley wrote to the teams this week indicating that there would be no backing down over his plans to have a one-week entry window for teams later this month, the stance appears to have left the manufacturer teams unmoved.

In fact, according to Dennis, all the manufacturers are currently focused on the imminent decision from the European Commission about whether a buy-out of Formula One shares by investment company CVC Capital Partners will be given the green light on competition grounds.

A decision on that will be made on March 21, which is the day before the FIA World Council meets to discuss the proposals for the 'window of opportunity' for the teams that is expected to be between March 24 and March 31.

Dennis, speaking at the Malaysian Grand Prix, was adamant that no decision was yet taken among the teams about whether they would sign up before the March 31 deadline.

"It's not under discussion at the moment," he explained. "First we want to finalise an agreement with CVC. That's our goal."

When asked whether he believed entries to the 2008 championship should be an issue early in 2006, he said: "It is 2008 - I won't be drawn into it."