Motorsport's world governing body, the FIA, are looking to push through further "radical proposals" next month in a continued bid to safeguard the future of Formula One.
With the global economic crisis showing no sign of coming to an end, the FIA's anxiety is growing as to the impact that will have on the sport.
It was the reason behind Honda Racing's decision to withdraw in early December, although confirmation of a management buy-out is expected to be announced within the next fortnight.
Although the FIA and the Formula One Teams' Association put forward a blueprint for survival at a groundbreaking meeting in Monaco just before Christmas, the feeling is more needs to be done.
It is understood the main initiative is for the introduction of a budget cap, a subject that has been raised before, but questioned due to the difficulty of policing.
Although a FIA spokesman today refused to confirm whether that was top of the agenda when the proposals are submitted to the World Council on 17 March, president Max Mosley has often previously championed the cause.
Mosley feels a budget cap would bring a degree of parity to F1, but more importantly, it would open the door for other teams to enter.
Certainly with USF1 hoping to be up and running in 2010, a budget cap would undoubtedly assist their cause, and that of Honda Racing in whatever guise they are due to take.
Confirming plans for a further shake up of F1, a FIA statement read: ‘In view of the difficult economic conditions which continue to affect Formula One sponsors and major car manufacturers, the FIA is preparing radical proposals for 2010.
‘If adopted by the World Motor Sport Council, the new regulations will enable a team to compete for a fraction of current budgets, but nevertheless field cars which can match those of the established teams.
‘These regulations will not affect the established teams which now have stable backing from the major car manufacturers, but will enable new teams to fill the existing vacancies on the grid for 2010 and make it less likely that any team will be forced to leave the championship.’
