Teams gang up on Ferrari

The teams claim that substantial savings are needed if Formula 1 is to have a 19-race calendar next year and say that if the agreement of the 10th team (Ferrari) can be achieved, then the French and British Grands Prix, currently the 18th and 19th races respectively on the 2005 draft calendar, can go ahead.

The teams have taken part in a series of meetings over the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, chaired by Bernie Ecclestone. The Friday meeting, a heated affair, was attended by all teams and, at one stage, it was forcibly pointed out to Ferrari that not just the small independents in F1 were hurting financially and that something had to be done.

There was a further meeting on Saturday morning, to which Ferrari's Jean Todt claims that he was not invited. It is significant that Peter Sauber, who through his commercial relationship with Ferrari is expected to toe the Maranello line, was a signatory to a document released on Saturday evening on behalf of the nine teams.

It read: "At the meeting Mr Ecclestone proposed a 19-race calendar, which included the French and British Grands Prix. The attending teams agreed that if the significant cost-saving measures outlined below could be instituted by 2005, this would allow the French and British Grands Prix to proceed.

The proposals agreed are as follows:



In respect of tyres, Mr Ecclestone agreed, on behalf of the teams, to progress this matter further with the tyre manufacturers and, in particular, to seal their assistance to eliminate the majority, if not all, requirements for tyre testing.



The teams have further agreed significantly to reduce the amount of testing that takes place in the course of the season. Under this proposal, the Friday format would consist of two two-hour free practice sessions. The proposal will also include the limitation of 10 testing days during the course of the F1 season. While the above measures represent a significant step forward we, the undersigned teams, feel this is only the first move towards achieving the goal of reducing the necessity to spend enormous sums of money in order to be competitive in F1. Such a course of action will ensure the continuing long-term health and prosperity of the sport and its participants.

The statement concluded: "In order to bring these measures into force for the 2005 season, unanimous agreement is required. This is something it is hoped can be achieved in the coming weeks."