FOTA shares FIA's cost cut aims

Formula One teams are more than willing to work with the FIA to help reduce budgets in the sport, after playing down any suggestion there is conflict with the governing body about implementing cost cutting measures.

FIA president Max Mosley wrote to the teams earlier this week urging them to see through a number of rule changes that were rubber-stamped at the end of last year to help cut costs.

Although the letter suggests that teams are under pressure to continue making progress, ahead of a meeting at a Heathrow hotel today, senior figures with the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) insists there is nothing but 'constructive' discussion between the teams and the FIA.

A McLaren spokesman told autosport.com: "I can confirm that McLaren, along with all the teams, are attending a FOTA meeting today at a Heathrow hotel.

"Inevitably, Max's letter to the teams of January 5 will be discussed constructively in the context of aims shared by FOTA and the FIA in respect of cost-cutting initiatives, environmental initiatives and initiatives designed to improve the spectacle of Grand Prix racing generally."

Ferrari, whose president Luca di Montezemolo is chairman of FOTA, added: "We fully share McLaren's statement."

The teams and the FIA agreed a whole host of measures to reduce costs in December - including a reduction in wind tunnel use, extended engine life and a huge cut back in testing.

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