Possibility of three-car teams discussed

Mercedes Motorsport boss Norbert Haug said: "It is not an easy solution. You have to raise the money, it's not just putting the T-car out. As soon as you run a car it is a completely different issue. You need more people, more parts, more engines. If the need should be there I think you could be quite sure a third car would be there, but it is not a decision to take overnight."

Teams are understood to be obliged to run a third car by the Concorde Agreement if the entry drops to eight teams or below.

Peter Sauber said: "Today there are 11 teams. I think it is absolutely not necessary to speak about two or three cars. "

And Paul Stoddart added: "If three cars were an issue it would clearly mean that three teams wouldn't be there and it's no secret that we would be one of them. But it would be a sad day for Formula 1. None of us know what makes the sport so magical or why hundreds of millions watch it and come out in all weathers. I don't think we should mess with the formula. They want the Ferraris, Williams and Mercedes but they also want the smaller teams."

Ever the pragmatist, Frank Williams said: "Well, if three cars are necessary, the merits and demerits will not be of any interest to Bernie. He'll just say front up, you deal with the problems."