FIA postpones 150 per cent entry fee increase

Formula One’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), has postponed the proposed 150 per cent increase in entry fees for next year.

Teams will now pay €309,000 (£240,000) to compete in 2009, which includes a small increase to cover inflation.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the FIA World Council in Paris, which also saw the FIA announce plans to review the governance of the sport. The latter has been seen by critics as a provocative move by FIA President, Max Mosley, to weaken the hold on F1 of Bernie Ecclestone and his fellow commercial-rights holders.

In 2009, the number of races will increase to 19, with the season concluding at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November. The British Grand Prix is being brought forward to June 21 and will therefore not coincide with the Wimbledon men's final.