Bernie explains the cost cap
Last week, the FIA announced plans to introduce a budget cap of £40m in 2010.
The teams are split as to whether this is good idea or not and whether it could result in a two-tier Championship.
Smaller teams like Brawn GP are likely to benefit from such an arrangement but Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo wasn’t pleased and wrote a stern letter to FIA president Max Mosely outlining his concerns.
This prompted a reply from Mosely suggesting that Formula One could do just fine without Ferrari and if they don’t like the rules then they don’t have to play.
In the middle of these rising tensions Bernie Ecclestone provided some elucidation in the Times saying of Mosley:
The trouble with Max is hes not capable, like in the past, of wrapping things up nicely with a pink ribbon and things. He wants to put it in an old cardboard box and tie it with string.
and of di Montezemolo:
The trouble with Luca is that you shouldnt let Max ever be in a position where he can start a debate or an argument. Hes reasonably clever and you wont win. Even if you do win, its like you being in the audience and me being there with the microphone. You say something smart and I dont give you the microphone its as easy as that.
finally wrapping things up with:
It would appear that everyone is in favour of the cap, including Ferrari, if we can get them to agree, which we can.
Right. So no problems there, then!