08/10/2005
NEWS STORY
Team bosses and drivers held a meeting on Saturday afternoon to discuss a number of issues relating to new proposals being put forward by the FIA for 2006.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Minardi boss, Paul Stoddart, described the meeting as "positive".
"The drivers had a very valuable input," the Australian revealed, "they took the trouble to prepare an agenda and I enlightened them on what the actual proposals are. Issues discussed included qualifying, driver safety and we also briefly discussed testing.
"I thought it was an incredibly positive meeting," he added.
An FIA spokesman confirmed to Pitpass on Saturday that Max Mosley has issued a number of new proposals to the teams this weekend ahead of a meeting of the Formula One Commission later this month.
Following the debacle that was Sunday qualifying, Formula One is still trying to come up with a format that will please the teams, drivers, race fans, TV broadcasters and sponsors.
Bernie Ecclestone is pushing hard for a knock-out format, as he exclusively revealed to Pitpass in July. However, it remains to be seen if he can sell the idea, especially when he was the driving force behind the unloved Sunday format.
It's understood that other proposals put forward by Mosley include the phasing out of third cars in Friday practice, and also spare cars during GP weekends. It's believed that tyre changes could also be re-introduced, in what will be seen by many as a U-turn by the FIA.
Ahead of the meeting, Frank Williams told reporters: "We are in the entertainment business and most teams enjoy doing that. But Max's problem is that it will make the cars faster.
"That said, next year we'll have a lot less horsepower so maybe it's not such an issue," added the Englishman.