I would love to see Fisi put in the cockpit and allowed to drive his dream at Ferrari. I know, he's well past his prime. But he has the experience and would make a good second driver to Kimi. But being a nice guy isn't rewarded and it won't happen. Still, it would be a fine thing to do. As far as JV goes, he has long lost the plot and forgotten how to win. He used to be aggressive and a joy to watch. Alas, it is no more. His stint at LeMans showed him still a capable driver, but no longer a winner. --Opposite Lock, Sparta, Wisconsin, USA

I do wish the reporters would do a little honest journalism and report the unvarnished facts from the hospital instead of repeating Ferrari's softened releases or worse, copying other reporters' inaccurate stories. Most likely, the emergency surgery was to open Felipe's scull to relieve pressure from a swelling brain not to repair the fracture(s). Ronnie Peterson & Mark Donahue both died from traumatic brain injury as did more recently actress Natasha Richardson. These were due to the blood vessels in the membrane surrounding the brain bleeding. (Conscious after the accident only to collapse and die if not treated very soon after the injury.) One so-called "journalist" even went so far as to say that reports of Felipe's injuries being life-threatening by the hospital were wrong! So let's get the facts straight and accurate. Opposite Lock Sparta, Wisconsin, USA

You forgot one: Why if, Ferrari is so irrelevant, did the FIA negotiate and grant Ferrari a huge payment scheme way above other teams, AND grant them the right of veto over any new regulations! It's unfathomable. (Other than to break the threat of a manufacturers' rival series.) And then claim that the FIA is impartial! What other sport has such a system?

Dear Mr. Mosley, Get your thumb out and be the LEADER you are supposed to be instead of a demigod. Find the compromise that will keep F1 viable instead of trying to ram your dictates down the throats of the teams. We the spectators, that pay your bills by watching the racing are getting frustrated and fed up with all the politics and posturing. Be a leader and work it out, or get out and let someone a little more humble and interested in the sport and not his own ego, do your job. OppositeLock Wisconsin, USA

The statement from the FIA is very rational and well thought out. If they had transparency of their governance as well, there would be no disagreement other than the specifics of the budget caps. Sadly, Mr. Mosley and the FIA have shown time and again that they cannot be trusted to provide the impartiality they promise. Specifically, what other sport grants veto powers to one team over new regulations? And compromise--the FIA's version of compromise is to bribe a team to defect from a unified group which opposes their regulations. It's sad really. If the other members of the FIA had the stones to step up and actually perform their duties and fulfill their responsibilities Max's power would not be unchecked and true compromise could be achieved. Instead, Ferrari and Mr. di Montezemolo have tasted power and see the possibility of seizing control and the FIA have no one to blame but themselves. BTW, if you want to see total chaos and gridlock put the teams in charge with the requirement of unanimous decisions to pass any regulations. NOTHING will be accomplished because each team will vote towards their own self-interest--every time. History has demonstrated that. God help us if we have a new series with Ferrari in charge. (Or McLaren or Red Bull or BMW or... Williams or Brawn might pull it off, though.) The point is, it does take a strong, impartial governing body to run a sport such as F1. But there must also be transparency in their oversight. Clarity of vision. Plus stability in the rules. The FIA's outline as stated is pretty good. It's their execution that stinks. OppositeLock Wisconsin, USA

Kinda like Ferrari & other teams' interpretation of flexible wings. Hic!

I absolutely agree with Max and Bernie that the teams will be unable to govern the sport. They will always vote in their own self-interest over the good of the series. That is when they are not battling a common foe. It has happened in other series such as the US' CART series. They could get nothing done because it was run by the team owners. Eventually IndyCar was born to combat the situation with many disaffected teams abandoning CART for Indy. It takes a strong leadership and governing body to keep the teams in line and the series thriving. However, the governing body has to be open, transparent and most of all, consistent with reasonable and understandable regulations and rules. When they are constantly being changed, often to cross-purposes (KERS & cost-reduction for example) there is a big problem. While I have no problem with Max having a vision of where the sport should head, there has to be a clear path upon which the teams and sanctioning body approach that goal. Right now Max's plan is too radical and to capricious. It changes on a whim and did not go through the proper procedures to be put in place. Surely the teams should have some input. I think the FOTA came up with a good alternative plan to gradually get to the budget reductions. Which Max often said if the teams can come up with a workable plan he would look at it seriously and implement it. Of course he was counting on the teams to remain fractured and divided by their own self-interests. Now that they are temporarily unified, he wants to force the teams to his terms. It's no go Max. Compromise or you will be missing the marquee names next year and a rival series.

On numerous occasions Bernie and Max told the teams if they didn't like the way they ran F1 the teams could feel free to go and start their own series. Now that point in time has come and both are back-peddling like mad. I should think that those words alone negated any contractual obligations and released the teams from any legal threats if they form another racing series within which to compete. But I'm not a solicitor(lawyer in USA-speak)... I only play one in my mind.

The allusion to it all being Hamilton's fault is being said tongue-firmly planted-in-cheek. Read the last paragraph again.

The Cosworth was homologated with the other engines. However, if you recall, Renault had to be granted special dispensation this year to catch up with the other engines that had "reliability upgrades" incorporated last year. Cosworth will have to do the same and more to catch up to the state of today's engines. Of course there are a number of employees that were recently made redundant by the other manufacturers. So personnel shouldn't be a problem.

Richards was a thorn in Max & Bernie's sides when he was in F1 before. He was constantly challenging their decisions and governance. They will not be eager to readmit him. I'm not surprised he wasn't accepted.

Ferrari cannot be forced to compete in next year's F1. If Bernie decides to sue to make them participate, they can show up with three crewmen and a wagon. They won't pass scrutineering--but that's racing. Or, they can show up with a team, do one lap and park in protest. Of course that would cost the team money. Oh, and if the FIA tries to fine them for putting the sport in disrepute, just try to collect.

I'm not a big fan of Alonso, but in this instance I have to agree with him. F1 is rapidly falling from exciting, leading-edge motor racing to bland mediocrity. Formula ONE is supposed to be the height of technology and innovation. Instead of which we are moving toward standardized engines, transmissions, ECUs and suspensions. F1 is about producing the best car and having the best drivers drive them. Not, how can we reduce the costs to the point of banality. If you want to reduce costs, start by banning those freaking hospitality centers!

When the ONLY source of revenue a track can garner is from ticket sales and concession stands (not team related) it's a wonder that any track wants to hold an F1 race. Bernie has positioned the GPs in such a way that only races with government subsidies can be held. Even races with major sponsors aren't profitable. What exactly do the tracks get when they hold a race? Nada. Not even promotion of the event. I think the FIA needs to look at the system and make it more equitable and less Bernie favorable.

How is the constructors' championship to be determined? Most wins for the championship? How do you break down the points to determine shares of the revenue and travel expenses? Not to mention garage position in the pits? This is an age-old discussion trying to put more emphasis upon winning than consistency. Under Bernie's medals then, Vettel and Kubica would have finished equal in the standings? How about Torro Rosso and BMW teams? So a driver with five wins and say five second places and two third places would lose the championship to another driver with six wins and no second or third places? Ridiculous! Oh, and if you think equal driver standings in a team will continue, think again. It will be crucial that wins go to one of the drivers right from the beginning of the season. A team couldn't chance allowing a teammate to take a win away. Whomever wins the first race in a team would become the de facto hope of the team.

<<>> Actually, you are incorrect. Senna commented on several occasions that he felt he had a mandate from god to race and be the world champion.

Sad that racism still exists--period. It is one thing to express a preference for a driver and team, to cheer them on and be excited or disappointed with the results. But to personify and attack a person's color, integrity, character or family because your driver or team didn't win is reprehensible. It demonstrates an immature stupidity. Opposite Lock Canton, Ohio, USA PS: Yes the same thing is happening in our presidential election. But much more covert in its expression.

It will be interesting to see how confusing this all gets when watching next year's races. The boost systems in the CHAMP car series in the US made watching the race difficult until they had on-screen graphics that showed when the boost was used and for how long. Otherwise we will be left wondering if what we are seeing is due to slipstreaming, tires, braking, etc. Personally, I think it adds complexity without making for a better show.

Even BAD officiating-if it is consistent--is preferable to what we have seen this year. The stewards are all over the place. Even contradicting the pre-race briefings to the drivers. What the...? How can any sanctioning body continue to be so screwed up and yet deny there is a problem? This makes F1 the laughing stock in the eyes of the world. I used to think USAC was the worst. Now I have a new standard...

SHORTER RACES! Are you kidding me?!!!! The races are already too short at 1h 30m to 1h 45m, unless it rains. Now the FIA wants to shorten them even more! At $100 USD (much higher at European venues) up for a ticket this isn't exactly great entertainment value for the money. Now Max & Co. want to make them even shorter! Talk about not giving a toss for the fans. While I think the costs will have to be reigned in, this is not acceptable. The $1 Million Friday sprint ain't going to cut it either. No front-running team is going to jeopardize its raceday chances for a paltry $1 Million. They pay their drivers more than that per race. Why would any team risk a car for this? Especially since they are not allowed a third backup car (Joke! They bring them disassembled) for the weekend.