WRC teams respond to FIA proposals

The teams feared that, if they had not produced alternative strategies, the FIA's ideas might have been railroaded through with no further notice, like the new F1 qualifying and parc fermé regulations at the start of this season. They want their own proposals to be put forward for consideration by the World Motor Sport Council when it next meets in October.

The FIA has suggested a 14-round 2004 calendar, increasing to 15 events in 2005 and 16 in 2006.

Citroën Sport has not signed the letter because team chief Guy Frequelin still believes that limiting manufacturers to two entries is the best way of reducing costs [Aug 13].

David Richards, the principal of ISC, the media rights holder, told the UK weekly: "We're all very concerned that, at a time when the WRC has never been stronger, there should be the prospect of dramatic changes being introduced without the full cooperation of the teams. The teams are very open to look at things, including increasing the calendar, but not without very careful consideration and considered input from people who really understand the impact that these situations are going to have. This is a serious situation. We've produced a set of proposals and sent them to Shekhar, asking him to move them forward as a matter of urgency."