Zoom Deadline passed, still quiet on the FIA front

The fact that nine FOTA teams lodged conditional 2010 entries was hailed by some as the end of hostilities with F1's ruling bodies.

But the crux of the fight was always FIA President Max Mosley's budget cap, and though FOTA did meet the championship entry deadline, its statement made no mention of the controversial cost-limiting mechanism.

Later in a press interview, Toyota team president and FOTA vice-chairman John Howett confirmed that a budget cap is indeed still not on the agenda, even in 2011.

Sources, however, were suggesting that FOTA's promise of "significant" cost-saving actions over the next three years might be acceptable to the FIA, although the governing body issued no statement and made no media comments.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone told the Times newspaper that he believes the budget cap has not been scrapped.

"I am sure there will be a cap," said the Briton, before joking: "I think we are seeing the start of what is going to be a huge row."

"No, this is the beginning of something positive," Ecclestone added.

D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM