MARCH 30, 2005

Is compromise in the wind?

The FIA World Motor Sport Council met in Paris on Wednesday and, surprisingly, said nothing about Paul Stoddart's activities in Melbourne. The council issued a press statement that says that the technical regulations will remain unchanged in 2005, 2006 and 2007 although the World Council would consider any change put forward unanimously by the teams. This seems like something of a compromise although often in the past the FIA has used sporting regulations to affect technical changes.

On the other hand, however, the FIA states clearly that the rules regarding the number of tyre manufactures competing in the championship will remain in force at least until 2008. This is an odd move to make given that cuts in performance may be required on the grounds of safety and regulating the tyres in the easiest way to do that.

The council also announced that the teams are invited to discuss the 2008 Formula 1 technical regulations in a meeting on April 15, 2005. The council added that the post 2008 regulations will be published by the FIA before the end of the year, as laid down in the Concorde Agreement. This may be difficult as the teams have pointed out to the FIA that it is not at liberty to introduce whatever rules it sees fit, as under the Concorde Agreement the teams must have a voice in future rules as well as existing regulations.

The statement suggests that the FIA may have had enough trying to force new rules upon the teams and, after the shenanigans of Melbourne, may be sniffing the wind in the direction of a compromise.