Formula One is littered with episodes of brinkmanship and this will be no different. A compromise will be found to allow all teams to compete virtually as they wish.
The idea that F1 can somehow be run on a shoestring is not a good idea and is ludicrous. �40m is a shoestring in F1 terms � Kimi Raikkonen is said to be paid in excess of �20m pa, Jenson Button took a pay cut to keep Brawn GP alive and now earns �only� �5m, a set of four tyres costs between five and ten thousand pounds, engines �4m, wheel nuts �800 each. It is an expensive sport and the participating teams know that when they agree to take part. Ferrari will not withdraw � they have too much invested in the sport not only this year but for years to come. Renault withdrew a few years ago but returned � they know that the sport gives their brand the sort of worldwide exposure that nothing else can.
It is about time the Hair Shirt brigade kept their penitentiary garment to themselves. Companies such as Ferrari and Renault (and indeed all the other F1 participants) spend the money they do because they want to, not because they must. If Max Mosely cannot see that a big attraction of F1 is that cars are developed with virtually no expense spared, then it is about time he stood down. Ecclestone ( a far more astute businessman that Mosely will ever be) will simply not stand by and watch the disintigration of the sport in which he has so much invested. Fans themselves do not want a watered down version.
You may have noticed Geezer that the �small guys� have not needed a spending cap to give them a chance of success. (Current constructors� championship standings: Brawn 1st, Red Bull 2nd).
The reason that Ferrari and McLaren have not succeeded this year is not down to money � they both took their eye off the ball last year.