26/04/2008 17:37

Barcelona - Technology, not Max Mosley, was on the team principals' agenda Saturday when they met with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Ferrari's Stefano Domenicali, Ron Dennis of McLaren and BMW Sauber's Mario Theissen were at the meeting before the Spanish GP's final practice session to discuss next year's implementation of KERS technology.

The Kinetic Energy Recovery System collects energy under braking to provide an extra boost that should allow for more overtaking.

Force India owner Vijay Mallya said they discussed governing body FIA's hopes of accelerating the implementation of KERS, which is scheduled to be gradually introduced from next year.

"That's not going to be possible," Mallya said of a speedier introduction.

The alternate energy strategy has come under scrutiny after FIA decided to freeze engine development on F1 cars for at least five years. FIA president Mosley has said that the hybrid KERS system "will revolutionize F1."

Critics say the costly plan will devalue motor racing's premier sport.

Ferrari vice president Piero Ferrari would prefer to see investment in research and redesign so that F1 cars don't turn into GP2 models.

"The way the regulations are right now, we can't redesign a single part to improve (the engine). It's excessive," Ferrari said earlier this week. "Ferrari have great engine guys twiddling their thumbs."

Mallya said that the agenda of the meeting was "only cars" and did not concern Mosley's latest setbacks.

On Friday, Spanish motoring federation president Carlos Gracia told The Associated Press that he was "delighted" that Mosley skipped the Spanish GP this weekend. Also, an invitation to Mosley from Israel's minister for science, culture and sport to discuss the future of motorsport there was withdrawn.

A British tabloid reported earlier this month that Mosley engaged in sex acts with five prostitutes that involved Nazi role-playing.

The 68-year-old Mosley is attending the Jordan Rally instead this weekend.

Mallya said that India's motorsports association hadn't decided whether it would support Mosley's bid to see out his current mandate, which ends in October 2009. Mosley's future will be decided by secret ballot at a special general assembly in Paris on June 3.

One of the principals missing from the meeting was Super Aguri's Suzuki Aguri.

The Japanese team's future in F1 is under threat with Super Aguri unable to secure further private investment. The team said it is currently in discussions to secure funding.

"Super Aguri was invited," Mallya said. "Those who came, came and those who didn't, didn't. Everyone was invited."