Formula One poised to increase to 26 teams
Formula One is poised to become a 26-car championship next season for which a $60 million budget cap has been imposed.
Following Wednesday's meeting of the World Motor Sports Council in Paris, it was agreed the maximum number of cars permitted to enter would be increased to 26, two for each team.
After announcing $45 million cap in mid-March, the WMSC has now increased that figure by a further $15 million with the formation of a new costs commission to police the regulation.The sport has not seen 26 cars on the grid for 15 years, with the budget cap designed to encourage new entrants.
The World Council, spearheaded by FIA president Max Mosley and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, feel, by raising the bar, it will not deter prospective new teams from signing up.
The additional $15 million also allows the current teams a further degree of leeway, although they may still feel it does not go far enough.
Teams, though, will still have freedom of choice as to whether to be governed by the cap. However, those that opt out face certain restrictions. Any team operating within the budget will be allowed to use movable front and rear wings and, most crucially, an engine not subject to a rev limit.
Those teams will also be allowed unlimited out-of-season track testing, with no restrictions on the scale and speed of wind-tunnel testing.
Any team wishing to compete in next year's championship must notify the FIA between May 22 to 29 and state whether they wish to compete under the cost-cap regulations.
Man Utd boost as Ferdinand gets all-clear
Rio Ferdinand could be fit for Manchester United's second-leg Champions League clash with Arsenal after scans revealed he had not cracked a rib.
There were fears that the England international defender would be sidelined for several weeks after he was forced off during United's 1-0 first leg victory at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Ferdinand was in obvious discomfort after bravely attempting to clear a dangerous Cesc Fabregas free-kick and going down under a ruck of players.He will miss United's Premier League game with Middlesbrough on Saturday but manager Ferguson is confident he could be fit to face the Gunners at the Emirates.
"It's good news with Rio," he told Press Association.
"It is not a cracked bone, he had a bit of bruising on the lung which was why he was coughing up blood but there has been nothing since then," Ferguson said.
"Hopefully we can get him ready for Tuesday, he seems almost back to normal. But he won't play tomorrow."
Northern Ireland international Jonny Evans came on for Ferdinand for the final few moments and he is set to deputize for the trip to the Riverside to face relegation battlers Boro.
United will make several changes ahead of the crucial return leg against Arsenal, but know that victory on Saturday will take them six points clear of nearest title rivals Liverpool who are playing Newcastle the following day.
United have been hard-hit by injuries to established defenders this season, but Wes Brown, who can play in central defense or full-back, is fit again after a long-term injury and is included in the squad for the Middlesbrough match.
But Ferguson will be hoping Ferdinand can resume his formidable partnership with Nemanja Vidic at the heart of their defense for a testing night against Arsene Wenger's men on Tuesday.
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