Zoom FOTA applying pressure on CVC and Ecclestone

Today is yet another deadline in F1's long-running political saga, with rumours the FOTA group set the date for either a final solution or the re-announcement of a breakaway series.

After ‘walking out’ of the FIA meeting on Wednesday, Formula One Teams' Association chiefs dashed back to London for emergency talks, reportedly to quickly re-establish plans for an alternate championship.

BMW's Mario Theissen denies Friday is the final deadline.

"We only said that want to have the Concorde Agreement signed by tomorrow (July 10)," the German told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport on Thursday.

It is suggested in the Nurburgring paddock that peace is indeed near, with FOTA and commercial rights holder CVC agreed over a new Concorde, and the FIA revealing that it is nearly ready to sign the document.

The puzzle's missing piece seems to be the head of Max Mosley, with yet another bone of contention - FOTA's concerns about Cosworth engines - now resolved.

The FIA has agreed to limit the British engine maker to 18,000rpm, like the other manufacturers.

Theissen paused for several seconds before answering ‘no comment’ to whether the removal of Mosley as FIA President would lead to immediate peace.

FOTA Vice-Chairman John Howett, meanwhile, answered to a similar question: "The commercial rights holder understands what's required to get our signatures on the Concorde Agreement."

Source: GMM
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