Stoddart and Dennis to focus on racing

Both team bosses appeared in the FIA's official press conference on Friday. Dennis originally angered Stoddart when he said that the Jordan team was more deserving of financial help then Minardi. The Australian responded by claiming that the McLaren boss wanted to put him out of business.

Dennis revealed that he and Stoddart met on Thursday to discuss matters. He said: "I think Paul understands very clearly from our conversation that I don't wish him anything other than a positive future. Perhaps in my support, I could say that the Fighting Fund that everybody keeps referring to was initiated by myself.

"To be honest, I think what I said pales into insignificance beside what Paul said but we are not into a game of verbal tennis, I think we both respect each other's positions, and we are now getting on with the job of trying to compete at this Grand Prix."

Stoddart said: "I have got to look at the interests of the team and a lot has been said over the last few weeks, a lot of it is regrettable. I think we are just here to get on with the racing.

"We don't make any secret about the fact that we are struggling this year to find enough budget to compete against these guys but basically we are doing the best job we can do and I think it's important that we keep 10 teams in Formula One. It's a bit of a special number, and if that takes a bit of a fighting fund to do then really so be it."