GPWC pursuing rival series

Despite widespread feeling in the F1 paddock that the manufacturers (GPWC) initiative is as good as dead, a source close to the organisation confirmed in Barcelona that it is still pursuing a rival F1 series beyond the end of the current Concorde Agreement governing the sport, which expires in 2007.

The understanding in recent weeks is that Ferrari, seen as crucial to the well-bring of any championship, has gravitated towards the principles of the new rules being proposed by the FIA, with which Bernie Ecclestone's organisation, as the commercial rights holder, is in alignment.

But, in Barcelona, a GPWC voice said: "I've read the articles and the, let's say, questionably vague comments by some of the people involved, but I can confirm that we are still all as one group pursuing a new series. I expect we will announce some more tangible steps in the future."

The GPWC group (BMW, Daimler Chrysler, Ford and Renault) met in Barcelona on Sunday morning and Ferrari's Luca di Montezemolo apparently participated via conference call.

The spokesman continued: "We will continue, and rightly so. I understand some of the speculation, especially following some of the statements Mr Mosley has made, but not to react doesn't mean that we accept what he says, we just don't care what he says. We will make an announcement as soon as we are able to do so."