The threat of a breakaway in formula one seemed to fade on Monday when the teams planning their own series submitted entry forms for the 2008 season.
The Grand Prix Manufacturers’ Association (GPMA) — made up of Renault, BMW Sauber, McLaren Mercedes, Honda and Toyota — said it was signing up to meet a deadline of March 31 established by world governing body FIA and its president Max Mosley.
”The five teams united through the Grand Prix Manufacturers’ Association … have submitted their entry forms for the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship,” the GPMA said in a statement. ”The GPMA members are united and remain committed to improve the sport for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
However, GPMA spokesperson Xander Heijnen was cautious and said some issues still needed to be resolved to avoid the breakaway.
”We have made significant progress with commercial negotiations over the last few months,” Heijnen said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. ”We hope we can do the same on sporting and technical matters, so that we can achieve our objectives within the current structure.
”We’re moving in the right direction. This is another sign of that. But it’s too early — there are some open issues left.”
The GPMA had threatened to break away after the 2007 season when the Concorde Agreement expires. The accord sets out how revenues are divided among the teams, commercial chief Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA.
The GPMA has been pushing for increased revenue for the teams and more financial transparency. It also wants the power of the FIA limited, with appeals taken to the independent, Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport — rather than the FIA’s own court.
It has also asked that special veto rules — granted only to Ferrari — be rescinded.
Also on Monday, the FIA said it was proposing a five-year engine freeze from 2008 to 2012. This means teams would be prohibited from modifying basic engine design.
Teams have traditionally changed engine specifications during the season to increase horsepower and performance.
”Changes to the engine … will be limited to those that the FIA is satisfied are carried out and necessary for cost reduction or reliability,” the FIA said. ”No modification will be permitted which, in the opinion of the FIA, may result in a performance gain.”
The FIA, which said it met with Ferrari, Renault and engine-builder Cosworth over the changes, said the freeze would reduce costs and ”encourage research into engine efficiency”.
Major car manufacturers may oppose such a freeze as it restricts innovations in technology — the reason many manufacturers invest millions in formula one. — Sapa-AP