Stoddart looks forward to useful discussion

As one of the smaller teams on the grid, Minardi is obviously hoping the FIA's proposed regulation changes for 2008 will bring some benefits. The proposals will be discussed at a meeting in Monaco next week, and while there is bound to be a certain amount of disagreement over the regulations, Minardi boss Paul Stoddart hopes a happy medium can be found.

Paul Stoddart.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

If nothing else, the proposals at least are somewhere to open negotiations. "They are a good starting point," Stoddart told Motorsport.com. "We very much look forward to commencing the discussions in Monaco next Tuesday, as the FIA proposals are clearly aimed at driving down the costs of Formula One -- something the smaller, independent teams have been advocating for some time."

"As with all negotiations, there will be give and take, with some concepts accepted and other negotiated away as we move towards a consensus. I'm sure, however, that there will be some useful discussion along the way."

2008 is a long time to wait for any changes. It's been proven difficult to get all the teams to all agree on something, which would be needed for anything to get done sooner. Given previous debates, it's no wonder Stoddart isn't predicting any action in the near future.

"Anything can be done with the necessary 12 signatures -- the 10 Team Principals plus Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley -- but it remains to be seen whether unanimous agreement can be reached to implement any changes earlier than scheduled," he said.

Presuming a conclusion will be reached at next week's meeting, the decisions on the proposals will be presented to the World Motor Sport Council on 30th June.