Speaking to the media following today's meeting of the teams' alliance in Bologna, members of FOTA promised that unlike the FIA, the teams will pay attention to what the fans want.

Clearly emboldened following yesterday's meeting of the World Motor Sport Council at which Max Mosley announced he would not stand for re-election in November and would, indeed, effectively step down with immediate effect, Flavio Briatore promised that from now on the sport will listen to its customers, the fans.

"What we want is a Formula One and in the end we achieved that," said the Italian. "We now want to work for a better show, better entertainment.

"We need to talk about sport again," he continued, adding, pointedly: "After many years of president Max Mosley, we want to wish him a good retirement." Ouch!

The Italian's first task will be to sit down with the sport's owners, Bernie Ecclestone and CVC. "Flavio will be busy working with the commercial rights holder to improve the show of the sport," said FOTA Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo. "We hope we can find agreement with CVC in the coming days."

With growing speculation as to who might succeed Mosley, FOTA Vice Chairman, John Howett is in no doubt as to what the teams are looking for in a new FIA President.

"The federation is an independent body with its own constitution it's their business who they appoint as president," he said. "From the teams' point of view we'd like someone independent. Independent of any of the teams."