Ferrari vows to take 'passion' elsewhere

By Pablo Elizalde

Wednesday, May 13th 2009, 14:15 GMT

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is convinced the Italian marque can find the same level passion in other racing series if it leaves Formula 1.

The Maranello-based squad, the most emblematic team in the sport, said on Tuesday it will pull out of Formula 1 if the budget cap regulations introduced by the FIA for 2010 stay in place.

The threat was followed today by one by Renault, who also said it will reconsider its position.

Ferrari said on Thursday it had received "numerous" messages of support from its fans, to which di Montezemolo responded on the car maker's official website.

The Italian said if Ferrari quite F1, it would continue to race elsewhere with the same level of enthusiasm.

"I want to thank you personally for the numerous messages of support we received from all over the world over the last hours on our website and via email," di Montezemolo wrote.

"It is important to know that we can count on the support of our fans all over the world and that our fans completely share the motivations, which brought us to take such a decision.

"If we were forced to leave the Championship we were part of over the last 60 years of our history and where we set all the records in terms of victories, it is because they want to change the nature of its founding values.

"If it really was like that, then I have to say that our cars will race in other competitions, where - and I am absolutely convinced about that – they will find the enthusiasm and the passion of millions of fans, following us in every corner of the world. Racing is part of Ferrari's DNA and this is something that will never change."

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa said the idea of having a two-tier championship was "absurd".

"I understand the motivation, why the company got to this point," said Massa. "The idea of having a championship with two velocities, with cars, which for example are allowed to have flexible wings or an engine without a rev limiter, is absurd.

"We've already seen this year that the rules' uncertainty not only led to a lot of confusion for us involved, but mainly for the fans. Imagine what might happen with what has been set up for 2010.

"For a driver racing a Ferrari in Formula 1 is a dream and I made mine come true. Since I was a child Ferrari has been the synonym for racing for me; that's why I'm convinced that even if the Scuderia is forced to leave Formula 1, there will be other competitions, where it will be possible to admire the Reds on the track."

Team-mate Kimi Raikkonen added: "It's difficult to think of a Formula 1 without Ferrari. When I drove for McLaren the Scuderia from Maranello was the benchmark, the competitor you had to be compared with. Since I arrived here I understood that it is much more than just a team, it's a legend, perpetuated via its road and racing cars.

"I always had the passion for racing with everything with an engine and I always thought of Formula 1 as the pinnacle of motor sports, in terms of competition and technology. Obviously if there really were rules like the ones set by FIA, it would be difficult to imagine a Formula 1 we had until today.

"I can't imagine drivers racing each other on the track with cars built according to different rules; that wouldn't be good for the sport itself or for the fans. If that should happen, it would be too bad and I understand that a Company like Ferrari is thinking about racing somewhere else."

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Renault also reconsidering 2010 entry

By Pablo Elizalde

Wednesday, May 13th 2009, 12:31 GMT

The Renault Formula 1 team has joined Ferrari in threatening not to enter the 2010 championship over the introduction of budget cap rules.

Just a day after the historic Italian marque said it will not enter F1 in the regulations remain unchanged, French manufacturer Renault has issued a statement saying it is "reconsidering its entry" in next year's championship.

Renault made it clear also that it was unhappy about the way the budget cap rules have been introduced by the FIA without consulting the teams, saying any such changes should be carried out in a progressive manner.

"There is frustration that FOTA's constructive proposals, including major cost saving measures to be adopted progressively between 2009 and 2012, which were carefully constructed by FOTA members, have been completely ignored without any form of consultation by the FIA with the teams," said Renault in a statement.

"It should be stressed that FOTA has set the same, if not lower, financial objective as the FIA, but Renault strongly believes that this must be introduced through a different procedure agreed by all parties.

"The decision of the Federation International de l'Automobile (FIA) to introduce two sets of Formula One technical regulations for the 2010 Formula One season has caused the Renault Group to reconsider its entry in next year's FIA Formula One World Championship.

"Renault also believes that it is paramount that the governance of the sport is coordinated with a spirit of consultation with all parties (FIA, FOM, FOTA) in order to achieve a better balance between the costs and the revenues. Renault is also of the firm view that all entrants in the World Championship must adhere to and operate under the same regulations."

Renault is the third Formula 1 manufacturer to officially threaten to leave the sport over the changes following Toyota and Ferrari.

Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz also said his teams will not participate next year if there were two sets of rules.

Renault's team principal Flavio Briatore said his team refused to accept the FIA's "unilateral governance" of the sport.

"Our aim is to reduce costs while maintaining the high standards that make Formula One one of the most prestigious brands on the market," he said. "We want to achieve this in a coordinated manner with the regulatory and commercial bodies, and we refuse to accept unilateral governance handed out by the FIA.

"If the decisions announced by the World Council on the 29th of April 2009 are not revised, we have no choice but to withdraw from the FIA Formula One World Championship at the end of 2009."

Renault team president Bernard Rey added: "Renault has always considered Formula 1 as the pinnacle of motor sport and the perfect stage to demonstrate technical excellence.

"We remain committed to the sport, however we cannot be involved in a championship operating with different sets of rules, and if such rules are put into effect, we will be forced to pull out at the end of this season."

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BMW to run improved KERS in Turkey

By Jonathan Noble and Pablo Elizalde

Wednesday, May 13th 2009, 10:29 GMT

BMW Sauber is planning to runs an improved KERS system at the Turkish Grand Prix next month, team boss Mario Theissen has said.

Theissen claimed the new KERS will have a better packaging that the team hopes will allow drivers to achieve a better balance in their cars.

The new package was designed in conjunction with the aero upgrades introduced at the Spanish Grand Prix last weekend, but the team decided not to run it in order to be able to focus entirely on the aerodynamic improvements.

"We have developed the aero package and in parallel we are developing a new KERS package which fits the new aero package," said Theissen.

"These were on the same schedule but we have decided not to combine it because it was clear to us that the new aero package alone would eat up all the time we have on Friday and Saturday morning to get it sorted, or almost sorted.

"And if we then had a new KERS at the same time, it would have been too much. We are planning to have it in Istanbul."

The team will not be running KERS at the Monaco Grand Prix, where Theissen says it would not have any benefits.

"It was clear from the beginning of the season that it would not give us the benefit in Monaco," he said.

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Fry: Barrichello will move on from Spain

By Jonathan Noble and Pablo Elizalde

Wednesday, May 13th 2009, 10:11 GMT

Brawn GP's CEO Nick Fry is convinced Rubens Barrichello has already put the Spanish Grand Prix disappointment behind him and is already determined to win his first race of the season in Monaco.

Barrichello looked like the favourite to win the Barcelona race after taking the lead at the start, but the veteran Brazilian lost out to team-mate Jenson Button, who switched from a three- to a two-stop strategy to score his fourth win in five races.

The Brazilian driver admitted he was very disappointed with the result, which also triggered suggestions about the use of team orders, something Brawn has denied.

But Fry reckons Barrichello has already moved on from the Spanish race.

"My experience of Rubens is that he will be very disappointed without a shadow of a doubt but give it 24 hours, he will be arriving in Monaco chipper and as determined to win," said Fry.

"Someone doesn't do F1 for as long as he has without being really determined, and the next one will be really determined to win that one."

Barrichello said after the race that he saw no point in thinking about the disappointment.

"The race was finished half an hour ago and that's the way it went," he said. "There's no way I'm going to be crying here and saying I should have done this or that. It's in the best interests of myself to learn what went wrong today because I had the ability to win the race but I didn't and this is a full stop.

"Jenson is on a flyer and he's doing very well. I think this weekend was really good for me because I worked quite hard on all the set-up and everything."

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Rosberg says his future remains open

By Jonathan Noble and Pablo Elizalde

Wednesday, May 13th 2009, 09:27 GMT

Nico Rosberg says he remains open about his Formula 1 future, the German admitting he is already considering his options for 2010.

The Williams driver had said earlier this year that the form of his team during 2009 would be crucial in his decision on whether to continue at the British squad or move somewhere else.

Rosberg said in February that he wanted to be in a race-winning car by 2010 "at the latest."

Although Williams has enjoyed a promising start to the season, the German driver has scored just 4.5 points in the first five races.

Rosberg admits he feels at home at Williams, but he insisted he wants to be in car that can win races.

"I'm looking at it now. I'm trying to build an image in my head about what possibilities are for next year," said Rosberg when asked by AUTOSPORT about his future.

"That fact is I feel really good in this team. They support me, and we've grown together, so it's a nice feeling here. So it would be nice if I could stay, to develop the car together that would be great."

He added: "It would be great to have one (race-winning car) now, but in F1 there's only two teams that have race-winning machines if anything.

"So you just need to be patient. If you deserve it sooner or later it will come and next year is going to be an important stop for my career.

"I would like to find something which is a good, long-term solution. It's important to get it right.

The 23-year-old said he had been encouraged by the progress made by Williams this year, and he reckons his speed at the Spanish Grand Prix, the first race in Europe, is a good omen for the rest of the season.

"It's very encouraging that we are in this position at this track, because it means that we can definitely compete in terms of development with the other teams and we have a chance to stay where we are or maybe a little bit better for once. So it's okay," he added.

"It's a good platform. They have done a good job with the development to put us in this position again, so it's okay.

"Over the winter they have shown they can build a good car. They've developed well through the first few races. So we'll see."

AUTOSPORT understands Rosberg has already begun talking to other teams to find out what options there are for next year.

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Ferrari threatens to leave F1 in 2010

By Jonathan Noble

Tuesday, May 12th 2009, 14:53 GMT

Ferrari has confirmed that it will not enter next year's world championship unless plans for a voluntary £40 million budget cap are changed.

Although the team had expressed private reservations about the rule changes and governing processes for 2010, it finally went public with its intentions in a statement issued following a board meeting at Maranello on Tuesday afternoon.

"The same rules for all teams, stability of regulations, the continuity of the FOTA's endeavours to methodically and progressively reduce costs, and governance of Formula 1 are the priorities for the future," said the statement.

"If these indispensable principles are not respected and if the regulations adopted for 2010 will not change, then Ferrari does not intend to enter its cars in the next Formula 1 world championship. "

Entries for the 2010 world championship close on May 29, with Toyota and Red Bull's two F1 teams having already announced in public that they will not enter if the rules remain unchanged.

It is thought likely that the other manufacturer teams will also join a 'boycott' of lodging an entry by the deadline - with only the current independents Brawn GP, Williams and Force India outfits set to apply.

As with other teams, Ferrari's main cause of concern is the possibility of a two-tier F1 - which would come into force should some teams adopt to run under budget cap restrictions next year while others choose unrestricted finances.

Regarding the FIA's World Motor Sport Council meeting on April 29 that ratified the 2010 regulations, the Ferrari statement said: "Although this meeting was originally called only to examine a disciplinary matter, the decisions taken mean that, for the first time ever in Formula 1, the 2010 season will see the introduction of two different sets of regulations based on arbitrary technical rules and economic parameters.

"The Board considers that if this is the regulatory framework for Formula 1 in the future, then the reasons underlying Ferrari's uninterrupted participation in the world championship over the last 60 years – the only constructor to have taken part ever since its inception in 1950 – would come to a close."

Although Ferrari is totally opposed to a two-tier F1 system, and has questioned whether or not it is possible for a £40 million budget cap to be introduced next year, the Italian outfit is also concerned about governance of the sport.

As well as being unhappy about the way the rules were pushed through last year, Ferrari thinks there has not been enough consultation with the teams.

"The Board also expressed its disappointment about the methods adopted by the FIA in taking decisions of such a serious nature and its refusal to effectively reach an understanding with constructors and teams," added the statement.

"The rules of governance that have contributed to the development of Formula 1 over the last 25 years have been disregarded, as have the binding contractual obligations between Ferrari and the FIA itself regarding the stability of the regulations."

In light of the developments regarding next year's entry, Ferrari said its president Luca di Montezemolo had been told to look at alternative activities for the racing team.

"Ferrari trusts that its many fans worldwide will understand that this difficult decision is coherent with the Scuderia's approach to motor sport and to Formula 1 in particular, always seeking to promote its sporting and technical values," said the statement.

"The Chairman of the Board of Directors was mandated to evaluate the most suitable ways and methods to protect the company's interests."

Despite Ferrari's strong stance, the FIA said earlier today that it was optimistic a solution to the matter could be found soon. Di Montezemolo is expected to meet with FIA president Max Mosley in the next few days to discuss the situation.

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Q & A with Timo Glock

Tuesday, May 12th 2009, 13:58 GMT

Conducted and provided by Toyota's press office.

Q. How do you sum up your Spanish Grand Prix weekend?

Timo Glock: It was a tricky weekend and in the end it was really disappointing. We all hoped for a lot more from the Spanish Grand Prix so to finish in 10th place was way below our expectations. Clearly our performance in the race did not meet the high standards we set earlier in the season but we are working flat-out to respond in the next races.

Q. What can you say about the upgrade package the team took to Spain?

TG: The guys back in Cologne worked incredibly hard to prepare several upgrades to the car, and I'm grateful to them for such a big effort. When you see how much work went into this you can really appreciate the dedication and commitment we have. We had some mechanical and aerodynamic upgrades which we tested on Friday. It's a bit different for us this year because of the testing ban, which means we have to try out new parts on Friday when anyway we are pretty busy working on set-up, tyres and strategy. In the end we decided not to use the aero upgrades but we did use some of the mechanical stuff.

Q. Are you concerned that other teams may have made a step forward compared to Toyota?

TG: In Spain we seemed lose a little ground but the team is pushing really hard to develop the car and there are more upgrades coming in the near future. Last year we improved continuously as the season went on and one of our most competitive races was the final one, which proves we have the ability to close the gap on other teams during the season. Obviously it's a challenge and sometimes things don't work out as you expect but we know we have to continue to develop every area of the car because the other teams are doing the same. We have the determination and the potential to do this.

Q. After qualifying in the top six, things looked positive but what happened in the race?

TG: We had quite an aggressive strategy and we were definitely expecting to score points from the third row but unfortunately things went wrong at the start. The car didn't pull away properly so I lost some position, then there was a big mess at turn two involving Jarno, when Nico (Rosberg) squeezed him on to the grass. After that I was stuck behind Nico for the first stint. I could have gone faster but I couldn't get close enough to make a move and, with the strategy I was on, this really hurt my chances.

Q. Was it possible to overtake in the race?

TG: Overtaking was very difficult. Every time I got into the slipstream of Nico my tyres started to go off so I just couldn't get close enough to him. Towards the end of the race I was putting pressure on Lewis (Hamilton) but it was the same situation; I was quicker than him but overtaking was really, really tough. It wasn't just me either, apart from the situation with Felipe (Massa) at the end there weren't many passing moves in the race.

Q. What are your hopes for Monaco?

TG: Obviously the main target is to get back into the points and hopefully fight again for the podium. Personally, I'd like to have a straightforward race weekend because with starting from the pit lane twice and some issues with the weather, you could say I've had an interesting start to the season!

Q. Is Monaco a special race for you?

TG: I really like Monaco but one of my strongest memories from there brings back quite mixed emotions. When I came back to Europe in 2006 to do GP2 I wasn't in the best car and it was a hard start to the season. At Monaco, I fought my way up from 17th to fourth and things finally were looking pretty good for me, but then I had a gearbox problem and had to stop.

That was a real low point and at that moment I seriously questioned if I could ever get back into Formula 1. But, happily for me, on the strength of that performance I was offered a drive at iSport, also in GP2. I finished second in my first race for them and everything changed. The pivotal moment was in Monaco.

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Hamilton: McLaren can turn the corner

By Jonathan Noble

Tuesday, May 12th 2009, 12:32 GMT

Lewis Hamilton is still hopeful his McLaren team may find a breakthrough with its car to get him back to the front of the grid, as he pins hopes on new parts lifting his performance for next week's Monaco Grand Prix.

The world champion endured a disappointing weekend in Spain, finishing outside the points as his MP4-24 struggled for speed at the Circuit de Catalunya.

But with the latest raft of car developments due to be introduced in Monte Carlo, Hamilton says he is remaining confident that a sudden leap forward in pace could happen at any point.

"The whole team is working as hard as it can to improve the car and we have some more upgrades coming for Monaco next week," Hamilton said on his official website.

"I definitely think we can turn the corner with this car - I don't think the whole car is wrong, I think perhaps a small issue is triggering a bigger problem somewhere else. And that's encouraging because it means we could hit a breakthrough at any stage.

"We've definitely taken some big steps forward and we've learnt from some of our mistakes too - we're all optimistic for the next few races."

Although hitting out at the pace of his car following the Spanish GP, Hamilton has nothing but praise for the efforts being made at the factory to improve his machine.

"I hope our new modifications give us a huge chunk of downforce," he said. "I know the guys will keep pushing, I'm pushing like crazy, we're all pushing like crazy: when we start winning again, we'll deserve it more than anything because we'll have been through so much to get back there.

"There is a great feeling of solidarity and optimism in the team at the moment, we'll never give up."

Hamilton is sure, however, that until the improvements come he does not have what it takes at the moment to retain the title.

"I'm pushing as hard as ever when I drive the car, they are working like crazy to develop the car but the car is just not where it needs to be for me to defend the title," he said. "But that won't stop us all from fighting hard and pushing to the absolute maximum at every race - because that's got to be our motivation now."

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Q & A with Lewis Hamilton

Conducted and provided by Lewis Hamilton's official website

Q. A tough race and no points in Barcelona - were you satisfied with your drive?

Lewis Hamilton: "We're unfortunate that our car is not quick enough at the moment, but that hasn't stopped me from pushing hard in all the races. Even though I didn't finish in the points in Spain, I pushed like crazy throughout the whole race, didn't make any mistakes and got the maximum from the car. As a racing driver, you have to be satisfied with that, and I was pleased with my performance. To finish ninth at a circuit we knew wouldn't suit us wasn't the end of the world.

"Most importantly, it's a big improvement for the guys in the team. I just want to say that the whole team has done a fantastic job - they really have, since I've been in this team I've maybe had one or two reliability issues with the car in 40 races. And touch wood that will stay the same."

Q. You finished in the points in Bahrain but struggled to get into the top-eight in Barcelona - which result do you feel is more representative of the car's performance?

LH: "We knew the Spanish Grand Prix was going to be tough for our car given the results of the test a couple of months ago. We're hoping that things improve greatly from this point onwards as Barcelona is one of the toughest circuits on the calendar for our car. Bahrain was always going to be one of our better races because we could exploit KERS and the car's handling through the slower corners. I think we can finish in the points regularly but we'll continue to struggle at some of the faster circuits. But hopefully we can introduce the necessary performance upgrades to make us competitive everywhere."

Q. Given the pace of the front-runners, what are your thoughts on retaining the title?

LH: "I'm pushing as hard as ever when I drive the car, the are working like crazy to develop the car but the car is just not where it needs to be for me to defend the title. But that won't stop us all from fighting hard and pushing to the absolute maximum at every race - because that's got to be our motivation now."

Q. Is the team confident about improving MP4-24?

LH: "The whole team is working as hard as it can to improve the car and we have some more upgrades coming for Monaco next week. I definitely think we can turn the corner with this car - I don't think the whole car is wrong, I think perhaps a small issue is triggering a bigger problem somewhere else. And that's encouraging because it means we could hit a breakthrough at any stage. We've definitely taken some big steps forward and we've learnt from some of our mistakes too - we're all optimistic for the next few races."

Q. So what about Monaco next weekend?

LH: "I hope our new modifications give us a huge chunk of downforce. I know the guys will keep pushing, I'm pushing like crazy, we're all pushing like crazy: when we start winning again, we'll deserve it more than anything because we'll have been through so much to get back there. There is a great feeling of solidarity and optimism in the team at the moment, we'll never give up."

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Horner says win redefined goals

By Pablo Elizalde

Tuesday, May 12th 2009, 11:28 GMT

Red Bull Racing's principal Christian Horner says his team has had to redefine its goals for the season following its maiden win in China.

Sebastian Vettel led team-mate Mark Webber to a one-two in Shanghai, as Red Bull confirmed its position as one of the favourites to fight for the titles this year.

The team from Milton Keynes has been on the podium in all races since winning, and Hornet admits the goal now is to catch championship leader Brawn.

"The team is on a high after the result in China, which was backed up by Sebastian's podium in Bahrain and Mark's in Barcelona," Hornet told the official Formula 1 website.

"China was a milestone. We have the first pole position out of the way and have the first win out of the way and that automatically changes our focus.

"Our focus now is very clearly to close the gap to the Brawns - and Barcelona has shown that we have done that - and we still have a lot more development potential open to us. The car is performing very well, the team is performing exceptionally well, and we are going in the right direction."

Horner insisted the team is working hard to introduce a double-decker diffuser, a task that it's harder for Red Bull because of the design of the car's rear suspension.

Despite that, Horner is hopeful it will be run in the next race in Monaco.

"It is a big challenge for us to incorporate a new floor given the characteristics of the RB5," he added.

"Probably it is more difficult than at other teams, but be assured that the guys back home in Milton Keynes are working very hard on a solution and hopefully Monaco will be its first race."

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Trulli says Spain slump a one-off

By Jonathan Noble

Tuesday, May 12th 2009, 11:21 GMT

Jarno Trulli has urged his Toyota team to remain optimistic about its chances for the rest of the year, despite enduring its worst race of the season at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Neither Trulli nor Timo Glock scored in Barcelona last weekend, having also slipped down the order in qualifying just two weeks after locking out the front row in Bahrain.

But despite the setback, Trulli thinks it too soon to draw a firm conclusion that rival teams have overtaken the Japanese manufacturer in the development race.

"I would say I am a little bit careful," Trulli told AUTOSPORT. "It is just a one off. We have to stay optimistic because so far the car has been very good and competitive.

"It was not the case during the Spanish weekend, but a fifth place was still possible honestly talking. Now the thing is we have to stay focused and develop the car, and that is the main issue. We need to keep developing the car if we want to keep fighting."

Trulli is unsure about what to expect for the next race in Monaco, with the former winner not confident that the characteristics of the TF109 will be well suited to the tight twists and turns of the street circuit.

But he thought it pointless to worry about what may happen before the track action begins next Thursday.

"I live race by race," explained Trulli. "Races have to be raced, you cannot predict or try to say what will happen. You can be more or less optimistic, but once you get in the car on Friday and Saturday you can say in a way, and we knew here on Friday that we were not competitive.

"I will be good in Monaco if I have the car, it is as simple as that. I head there with confidence, and obviously we need to see how the car behaves during the weekend. It is tough to say for sure though, as Monaco is always unpredictable."

When asked if the slow speed turns at Monaco would suit the Toyota, Trulli said: "I think it is a weakness at the moment, but I hope to be wrong."

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Fry: Button's experience gives him edge

By Jonathan Noble

Tuesday, May 12th 2009, 10:39 GMT

Jenson Button's experience will give him the edge if the world championship fight turns out to be a battle between himself and Sebastian Vettel.

That is the view of Brawn GP's CEO Nick Fry, who thinks that Button's 158 race tally - plus the up and down form he has enjoyed in his nine full seasons in F1 – may prove an advantage against his Red Bull Racing rival who is starting his second full season.

"I think anyone who has been in F1 for as long as Jenson has, and been through what he has been through, is much, much stronger than someone who is younger," Fry told AUTOSPORT.

"I think Sebastian is an absolutely sensational driver but I think Jenson's experience counts for something."

Fry believes that Button is revelling in the situation he finds himself in at the moment because of the troubled years he has had at BAR and Honda in recent years.

"I think that Jenson has just sort of continued to mature in a fairly gradual way," said Fry. "He has had a lot of war wounds along the way but that makes him even stronger now.

"He is very relaxed in himself and I think you've seen here in Spain again when he gets the bit between his teeth and wants to win then these days he is pretty formidable. He is someone who is 29-years-old now, he has a lot of experience, he is more comfortable in his own skin – and that makes a huge difference to his inner confidence."

Although Button has opened up a comfortable lead at the top of the title standings, Fry says Brawn is remaining cautious about its championship hopes.

"I think that our view is that it is still one race at a time," he said. "It is still very early in the year and it is great where we are, but I don't think anyone inside is thinking too much about that.

"It is do the best possible job – and that is what we are doing all along. Through the survival of the team we have learned to take one step at a time, and we really just continue with the same philosophy.

"Every day is a new day and we try and do our best. The guys are just doing a great job and there is a huge enthusiasm. They are getting into the swing of things now.

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Q & A with FIA's Tony Purnell

By Jonathan Noble

Tuesday, May 12th 2009, 10:14 GMT

The main topic of conversation in the Spanish Grand Prix paddock was not the fantastic on-track battle for the world title, but the possibility of manufacturers quitting the sport over their discontent about the imposition of a budget cap.

Toyota and Red Bull both confirmed in public they would not lodge entries to the 2010 championship if the rules did not change, while other teams also expressed similar sentiments in private.

Yet despite the unhappiness, the budget cap remains perhaps the best solution to both cutting costs and attracting new competitors into the sport.

As talks between the teams and the FIA continued in Barcelona, AUTOSPORT spoke exclusively to the governing body's technical advisor Tony Purnell about the budget cap - why it has been chosen, why he believes it is best for the future and where the situation goes from now.

Q. Can you explain what your role has been in getting us to the point we are at with budget caps?

Tony Purnell: It has evolved. More than two years ago the FIA were very unsettled with the teams' expenditure. While F1 has tremendous value, there is always a limit on sustainable cost and it looked like we had accelerated past that limit.

We had all kinds of debates about it, and Max asked me to think about ways to really address the problem.

Formula 1 is a unique mix of sport and business. It always has been. The sport should have two elements - a competition between immensely clever engineers and immensely talented drivers. It should be that easy.

On the business side, it has to be profitable. If it is a flourishing business, people will want to come into it. We started looking at how many new teams there had been. Where were the Frank Williams's and the Ross Brawns? The FIA wanted to encourage new talent to come in to the sport.

Max asked for a paper on cost reduction and it always seemed to boil down to two ways of going forward. If it is cost reduction you want, you either hit the root cause - restrict the money supply. Or just constrain people so that the return on investment diminishes – which means technical restrictions, or what I would call process restrictions in the way you go about things. In extremis this meant going to standardisation.

The FIA pushed hard with budget capping a year ago and had a lot of support within the teams, but we ran into political difficulties. It was not on the philosophy, but on what was the right number. It was either too high for half the grid, or too low for half the grid.

Then FOTA came along and we were involved in discussion with them. They were very good people, very good engineers, but you could see that their heart was not really in restricting themselves but it was what they had been told to do.

Then Max asked, what is the DNA of F1? What is F1 all about? It should be to encourage technical competition, to encourage innovation like KERS. Now, not everybody has made it to the grid with KERS, but that was part of the technical challenge. There are some really, really good systems out there, but is it wrong that the technical challenge was so great that some people haven't quite made it? I would say absolutely not. Is it wrong that we have got this wide array of solutions to the opportunity? No, it's brilliant.

But the thing that has really struck us is that since we announced KERS we have seen the development of flourishing companies like Flybrid Systems, who didn't even make it onto the grid. Why? Because of the catalyst of F1.

We've got BMW, Mercedes and Magneti Marelli, the people who have really pushed KERS, all saying that this has improved the knowledge of a hugely relevant automotive technology. And what is more, that knowledge is going into production exercises – they are very enthusiastic. We also have Williams who have backed massively clever innovation with a business attracting real interest – and they haven't made it to the grid either. KERS has confirmed our thinking that innovation is what F1 is all about.

It is certainly what many of us grew up loving about F1. There was always that feeling that that exciting new technology was going to come in future.

So, faced with these two philosophies we decided not to go down the standardisation route. Then we looked at the budget cap again. It produces a really great competition because it is all about cleverness, the real DNA of F1. It also enables us to allow for wider scope in the technical regulations, so we can throw in these new technical challenges like KERS.

It also frees us up to focus the sport on sustainability. The current financial crisis has produced an undercurrent that if we don't change F1 to present a public image of technical relevance and economic and environmental sustainability then we are going to get into difficulties.

The FIA feels that we have to introduce a new F1 car that faces the challenges of the decade to come. And yet, how do we do that when the automotive industry is facing a meltdown? Certainly when you talk to someone in the automotive sector, they say don't use the word downturn. It is an outright depression.

In the F1 of the past decade, introducing a new powertrain meant trooping up into a manufacturer's boardroom and saying: "A fraction off a billion dollars please!" I don't think anyone in this pitlane, brave as they are, has the nerve to do that today.

If we can create an acceptance of a financially controlled environment, then all these things become possible. We can change F1 and evolve it, and F1 is about change.

We can make F1 so that entrepreneurs can come in and, if they do a good job, they can become established. I think we can change the image of F1 away from something that has served it very well for the past decade but is now out of tune with the coming years. With all of these things on the plus – many agree that is where we want to get to.

Even chatting to the people who are unsure, they like the vision. They say: what you are trying to do, we don't want to push back against that. The perceived difficulty is all about the transition.

Q. And you think it vital that something is done immediately, to pre-empt financial problems that lay ahead because of a crisis that may be bigger than some people realise?

TP: I was recently told by one of the leading sponsorship agencies – Don't listen to any of the arguments that lowering the costs will chase sponsors away. Sponsorship is about value. F1 offers tremendous value and will continue to do so.

The other thing is that we have a group of potential sponsors who are very attracted to F1, but don't like its profligacy.

To make change needs courage, resolve and leadership. And it is where a committee often runs into trouble. Everybody wants what is good for them, but you need someone to see beyond that and cut through the self interest and say this is what we need to do. That is exactly what Max is doing.

Q. FOTA made a proposal last year to the FIA of a budget cap, but at a different level to the £40 million. So it appears they are in favour of the concept, but it's the level it is set at that is the complication. Can you explain why you have settled on the £40 million figure?

TP: We started off by doing an investigation into what is the minimum cost to put a car on the grid under the present rules.

Then we went a little bit leftfield and looked at Le Mans cars, A1GP, GP2 and that sort of thing. How much did it cost as a development programme? The absolute lowest figure was £30 million.

We announced that figure and we got an immediate response from lots of prospective people – some of whom we know are very serious.

Then there was a lot of lobbying, as always goes on, and then there was also this feeling that we had worked out this minimum figure, but we wanted to allow the technology and the innovation side to flourish. So we needed a budget above that minimum, and that is, in my way of thinking, why there is an extra £10 million. So there is the base level, plus £10 million to improve the car and get it into the area of engineering competition.

Q. But do you not concede that it will be difficult for a big manufacturer team to go from a budget of £150 million this year to £40 million per annum in just six months, whereas if the figure goes much higher new teams will not be interested in coming in?

TP: Yes. The thing is a tremendous balancing act. We want to attract new teams and my feeling is that if we pushed it much more, the number of new teams, which has already thinned going from £30 million to £40 million, would just disappear. So, the objective of attracting new teams, we cannot lose sight of it.

On the other hand, there are the manufacturers needing to make big cuts. Well, the FIA is the regulator and we have to see the bigger picture. Ask anyone to study the ownership of F1 teams at the moment, and the main automotive companies, and they are facing a deep crisis. And amid that economic environment, if you are right at the top of the company, you think we have got to change the spend and cost profile. What is the most high profile spend? F1.

It is a time for difficult decisions to be taken. Sitting dazzled in the headlights won't work. So, for the big teams, they face a massive challenge and whatever you do is a risk. But doing nothing is an unacceptable risk.

Q. What about the risk of a two-tier championship, and the claims that it will destroy F1?

TP: It is all about transition. I think there are certainly many members of the media and many people in the paddock who say, where you want to get to is really admirable. But how do you get from A to B? The option route is a means to do it. In the medium and long term we expect things to converge. In the meantime, certainly if all the FOTA teams think that two tiers is wrong, then we absolutely invite them to go one way – problem solved.

Q. You had discussions with some teams last weekend. What has the feedback been like?

TP: The major issue seems to be about transition, and could we soften it over three years. Transition is always difficult. We've laid out a route to do it, and those are the regulations. We think what we are trying to do is the right way and the FIA can't dilute its goals. Either we do this and we show courage and resolve, or we allow ourselves to get compromised until things get diluted.

Q. Do you believe that the problems the manufacturer teams have in dealing with the transition can be sorted out in the next three weeks?

TP: We are optimistic. If the attitude is right, then anything can be done.

Q. So you see no problem in the differences between the teams' resistance to a two-tier championship, and your push to get them all in the budget cap, getting settled?

TP: I'm optimistic. Whenever change has been required the teams have cried Armageddon: Parc Ferme, engine freeze, V10s to V8, KERS... On each occasion there were those who claimed that F1 would fall apart. These experiences tend to make the FIA more resilient to all the hysteria. People don't like change.

Q. So the crux isn't where the budget cap is as such, it is simply how we get there and dealing with the transition?

TP: It's about how we make the transition as acceptable as it can be for everyone. We've created a choice.

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FIA trusts cap deal can be reached

By Jonathan Noble

Tuesday, May 12th 2009, 10:10 GMT

The FIA is optimistic that a deal can be agreed with teams to move forward with plans for a budget cap in Formula 1 next year, but has warned that it will not compromise simply because of the 'hysteria' caused by threats to quit the sport.

Ahead of a meeting between representatives of the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) and Max Mosley in the next few days, the FIA's technical advisor Tony Purnell has made it clear that the FIA is not in the mood to back down over its £40 million rules.

Speaking to AUTOSPORT in an exclusive interview, Purnell said he was confident that talks he held with teams in Barcelona last weekend, plus moves by Bernie Ecclestone, were pointing towards a solution to the situation being found.

"I'm optimistic," explained Purnell. "Whenever change has been required the teams have cried Armageddon: Parc Ferme, engine freeze, V10s to V8, KERS... On each occasion there were those who claimed that F1 would fall apart. These experiences tend to make the FIA more resilient to all the hysteria. People don't like change."

Toyota and Red Bull chief Dietrich Mateschitz said at the Spanish Grand Prix that they would not lodge entries to the 2010 world championship unless rules were changed - and hinted other teams would follow their lead.

Although there have been suggestions that teams could be appeased by raising the current £40 million level for the budget cap, Purnell has said that the FIA is reluctant to do so.

He claims that moving the figure much higher will hinder the chances of new teams coming into F1 next year - something which the FIA has targeted as being vital for the future health of the sport.

"The thing is a tremendous balancing act," he said. "We want to attract new teams and my feeling is that if we pushed it much more, the number of new teams, which has already thinned going from £30 million to £40 million, would just disappear. So, the objective of attracting new teams, we cannot lose sight of it.

"On the other hand, there are the manufacturers needing to make big cuts. Well, the FIA is the regulator and we have to see the bigger picture. Ask anyone to study the ownership of F1 teams at the moment, and the main automotive companies, and they are facing a deep crisis.

"And amid that economic environment, if you are right at the top of the company, you think we have got to change the spend and cost profile. What is the most high profile spend? F1.

"It is a time for difficult decisions to be taken. Sitting dazzled in the headlights won't work. So, for the big teams, they face a massive challenge and whatever you do is a risk. But doing nothing is an unacceptable risk."

AUTOSPORT understands, however, that the teams may be willing to accept the £40 million limit if some concerns about the policing of the budget caps are alleviated.

Sources suggest that some outfits do not want outside accountants looking at their books. One possible way to solve this problem, which Ecclestone has already proposed, is for the task of checking teams' expenditure will be carried out not by the FIA but by the team's own auditors - or totally independent accountants.

Should all the current teams sign up for the budget cap, then that will remove the possibility of a two-tier formula – something which the manufacturers have deemed unacceptable.

Speaking about the possibility of a two-tier F1, Purnell said: "It is all about transition. I think there are certainly many members of the media and many people in the paddock who say, where you want to get to is really admirable. But how do you get from A to B?

"The option route is a means to do it. In the medium and long term we expect things to converge. In the meantime, certainly if all the FOTA teams think that two tiers is wrong, then we absolutely invite them to go one way – problem solved."

He added: "We think what we are trying to do is the right way and the FIA can't dilute its goals. Either we do this and we show courage and resolve, or we allow ourselves to get compromised until things get diluted.

"It's about how we make the transition as acceptable as it can be for everyone. We've created a choice."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75267

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Ferrari board to discuss F1 future

By Pablo Elizalde

Monday, May 11th 2009, 16:45 GMT

Ferrari's board of directors will discuss the Italian squad's future in Formula 1 tomorrow, the team announced on Monday.

Amid growing tension between the teams and the FIA over the introduction of a budget cap for 2010, Ferrari said in a statement on Monday its board will analyse the current situation and its future involvement in F1.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and FIA president Max Mosley have been at loggerheads over the introduction of the budget cap, which the Italian reckons could damage the sport.

Mosley said earlier this month that Formula 1 could survive without Ferrari, the only team who has competed in every championship since 1950.

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