A behind-the-scenes argument about customer cars will come to a head on Friday, as formula one teams meet to discuss the thorny issue in Monaco.
Coinciding with the FIA’s annual prize-giving and the Motor Sport Business Forum, the meeting follows recent concern and uncertainty about Super Aguri and Toro Rosso’s plans for 2007.
While the rules for 2008 are likely to accommodate the desire to race another team’s car, the Concorde Agreement strictly prohibits the practice until then.
Toro Rosso ran a car this year that strongly resembled the 2005 Red Bull, and it is rumoured that both teams could use a near-identical chassis next season.
Super Aguri, meanwhile, started pre-season testing last week with basically a repainted version of engine supplier Honda’s 2006 car.
Some teams’ reaction to the situation has been to threaten legal action, but the issue is complicated by the fact that FIA president Max Mosley is believed to be sympathetic to small outfits’ desire to use a customer chassis.
In his speech at the Motor Sport Business Forum this week, Mosley pointed out that today’s higher costs are making it difficult to fill a twenty-four car grid with the existing clause of the Concorde Agreement in place.
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
