Manufacturers answer FIA proposals

The move was prompted by fears that the FIA would push through their own recent cost-cutting proposals if the teams did not offer positive solutions of their own.

Peugeot boss Corrado Provera said of the eight-page document forwarded to the FIA: "We have taken the initiative of putting together proposals to the FIA on the way forward - it is a reaction to the FIA's earlier document plus ideas of our own."

The top issue was the calendar, which the teams suggest remain at 14 rounds next year. The calendar would expand to 16 events over the next two years.
Manufacturers would also like to limit testing without resorting to the FIA proposal of a single testing country. They would like two recce runs to be retained but with changes to the vehicles used.

Teams are opposed to a ban on turbocharged engines in 2006, which they say will not save money. They have suggested rather that a series of "freezes" and bans on specific technologies be implemented. They also want to see shorter service periods and a retention of the three-day format.