Q:
A question to you all. There has been a letter from the FIA to all the constructors regarding the rules and the course of the regulations. What are your thoughts on that letter?
Frank Williams:
The most important part of the letter which we received from Max was of course his statement that he wants to keep further downward pressure on costs. Regarding KERS we are already committed to that and anything else to do with the engine side is to do with our engine supplier. We view the letter positively and interestingly Max is not saying I. Max is saying please make the rules up and I hope I can underwrite them for you.
Martin Whitmarsh:
I think like any business we will seek to improve safety, we will seek to improve the spectacle and we have got to control costs. I think it is continual pressure and I think it is right that the governing body is applying that pressure. We have got to work together as teams and with the FIA to achieve those objectives. It is in everyone's interest to have a healthy and competitive
F1. We support the initiatives but we have got to come up with some good ideas.
John Howett:
I think from
Toyota's point of view we would like to go one step backwards and firstly establish a proper governance process for the regulatory change and also to learn from a lot of the changes we have had in the last couple of years. One can say a four race gearbox is actually, effectively, costing us more money, so I think our position is ‘yes, we have no problem at all for dialogue', but I think we would like to see a clear understanding of the regulatory process, the governance process in conjunction with the Concorde Agreement and then I think we are very open to discuss the detail.
Ross Brawn:
I think the important thing about the letter is that it states that the teams can get together to write the rules for the future. If the teams can agree on the future direction of F1 that is the best solution. I think to prejudge what that direction should be, we are all reasonable judges of what is good for our business, we know we want to reduce costs if possible, we know we want to make it more entertaining and improve safety, so there's lots of common objectives and if the teams can genuinely get together to find solutions to improve the show, reduce costs, etc. I think we would be very happy with that. I think what is important is to have the confidence that when we come up with those objectives they are understood and supported by the
FIA, otherwise the process is a waste of time. I am very optimistic that this is an opportunity for us to work together as teams to find solutions which are good for the future.
Q:
Another question for all of you. Today there was a statement from the FIA and FOM about the future of the British Grand Prix. Your thoughts on that please....
FW:
Delighted that the British Grand Prix will continue to be mentioned in a calendar. Some of us feared it may eventually be dropped, but it doesn't seem likely now. If it is at Donington, it's at
Donington. If it's at Silverstone, it's at
Silverstone. Privately, I would prefer to come to Silverstone. It is much closer for all our factory staff, it's closer to Heathrow and closer to the largest number of spectators but, if it's Donington, we will be there.
MW:
Like Frank said I think it is vitally important that there is a British Grand Prix, so that is good news. I think Silverstone and Donington are two great circuits. My personal recollections of Donington are very happy, so pleased to race there if that is where the race is in two years time.
JH:
I think it has been said. The British Grand Prix is secure and in the end I think it is sad to lose a great circuit with heritage but, at the same time, I am sure Donington will create an environment which will be extremely good for F1.
RB:
I think I agree with all of that. The most important thing is that we maintain the British Grand Prix because we are under huge competition from circuits like Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, these new countries that want a grand prix. It is just very good news that we will keep it in Britain, but a little bit sad that we are losing it from Silverstone, especially as our company and our factory are so close.
