Grand Prix Formula One on trial
The short-term future of Grand
Prix racing is about to be voted on today when the Formula One
Commission meets to discuss big regulation changes for the 2006 season.
A brand new qualifying format and the reintroduction of tyre changes
during races are at the top of the agenda of the long-awaited meeting
between the sport's biggest names, which will be taking place in
central London.
Max Mosley, the president of the sport's governing body, the FIA, and
Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone will be meeting
with the team bosses as well as representatives of key sponsors and
promoters.
The unpopular single-lap qualifying has been the subject of
their debate and they are finally set to make a recommendation to be
put to the ultimate decision makers, the FIA World Council, on
Wednesday.
Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner said: "As far
as Red Bull Racing is concerned qualifying at the moment does not
really work for the fans, there is limited interest. I think it is
important that the spectacle is improved, but we will wait and see the
latest proposals."
A proposed knockout format for qualifying would see five cars knocked
out after 15 minutes, and then another five out after a second
15-minute session and finally the remaining cars battle for the top
grid spots.
The sticking point has been the use of race fuel in
qualifying, which was introduced with the single-lap format in 2003 and
has proved a successful way of mixing up the grid and bringing more
excitement to the races.
Some of the team chiefs want to make qualifying more of an event, but
none wants this to be to the detriment of the racing itself. The latest
move is to run light cars in two knockout stages, then fuel the
remaining cars up for final runs.
Opposition is expected to the reintroduction of tyre
regulations, a plan that was disclosed when the sport's governing body
the FIA released their provisional 2006 regulations in Brazil early on
this month.
However, Christian Horner said: "There are pros and cons to a return to
tyre changing, and it is intrinsically linked with qualifying, so we
will have to see what happens."
The teams will also debate the banning of spare cars and the use of
third cars in Friday practice, although that is also expected to see
opposition from teams like BAR and Williams, who would benefit from a
third car next year.
Christian Horner is also against this move and he said: "Red Bull
Racing wants to keep a third car because it is good for our young
drivers, but at the end of the day it is a majority vote, so we will
have to wait and see how that goes."
Max Mosley met the team chiefs at the season-ending Chinese Grand Prix
last weekend, and was confident that their discussions were heading for
an agreeable conclusion this week.
Max Mosley said: "From our point of view I don't see
difficulties in the future. I think it is all going to end up quite
peaceful. There is a lot of progress being made."
Max Mosley's recent unpopularity has led some to suggest he
could face a vote of no confidence in the meeting because of the way he
has recently tried to push through regulations that some teams do not
approve of.
A source close to the president said: "Max is the president of
the FIA, he is in a difficult position, but I don't think there is any
reason why there would be a vote of no confidence in him."
Comment on this article
Leave your comments (Show/Hide Form)
Other Visitors Comments
There are no comments currently....
|
Motor Sports 
