F1 pressure still high for grieving Mosley

(GMM) In the high-stakes world of formula one, every player is often giving and taking pressure at the same time.

That is definitely the case this week for Max Mosley, who cancelled his scheduled visit to the Spanish grand prix following the death of his eldest son Alexander.

The FIA president had been due to front a media conference to discuss his vision for F1's budget-capped future, but also would have been similarly hounded by concerned – and angry – teams.

Not long after it emerged on Wednesday that economist and restaurateur Dr Alexander Mosley, 39, had died in his London home, the F1 teams association FOTA issued a statement calling for "urgent consultations" with the FIA.

No mention – for example a note of condolence – was made of Mosley, even though BMW's Mario Theissen said in Barcelona that the world of formula one would "respect that situation" amid the political climate.

But the situation remains highly charged, and the urgency remains.

Ross Brawn, head of FOTA's technical arm, said on Friday: "It's very unfortunate what has happened with Max, a terrible thing, so we've got to be sympathetic in that respect.

"But as soon as it's possible, we would like to meet with Max and try and find if there's another way forward, where all the teams can be united and consistent in the solution," he added.

In the wake of the publication of the 2010 rules, it has become clear that FOTA – all the teams – is united that while cost capping is a fair principle, the details of its implementation, and the "two-tier" element, are not supported.

Brawn added: "I think all the teams within FOTA don't want to have a two tier system and I think there will be discussions over the next week or so."