29/07/2005
NEWS STORY
Representatives of two of the manufacturers that comprise the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association (GPMA), together with McLaren's Ron Dennis, representing the nine 'rebel' Formula One teams, met with FIA President, Max Mosley, in Cannes today.
Burkhard Gosche represented BMW, while John Howett and Tsutomo Tomita were on duty for Toyota.
The meeting was in reaction to the proposals that the GPMA submitted to the FIA earlier this week, and although little is being said, it's understood that some initial progress has been made.
"It was a very good meeting," McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh told reporters in Hungary. "I think both sides were able to establish they were much closer to one another than perhaps had been supposed. I'm sure in due course we'll see some fruits from it."
A spokesman for the GPMA has previously told Pitpass that neither the manufacturers nor the teams are seeking a breakaway, which should be seen as the last resort.
In the wake of proposals recently put forward by the FIA, the GPMA spokesman said that the manufacturers agreed with around 70% of what had been suggested. However, there is still a fear of the sport being dumbed down, and a desire for far greater transparency.