LONDON - The nine teams preparing a breakaway series to rival Formula One insisted their plans remained on course following a meeting here Thursday.
All the teams on the grid, with the exception of Italian world champions Ferrari, were present where a decision was taken not to attend a meeting with Max Mosley, president of motorsport world governing body the FIA in Paris on April 15 to discuss future rules.
Instead, in what they said was a signal of their determination to continue their path towards a fresh competition, the group revealed its new identity of Grand Prix Racing.
The bulk of the group had previously come together under the banner of the Grand Prix World Championship but the change was said to reflect wider aims for the nine teams and five car manufacturers involved.
They want a larger say in how Formula One is run after 2007, when the current Concorde Agreement which governs the sport expires, and a greater share of commercial revenue.
The group's chairman, Professor Burkhard Goschel said: "Today's meeting was another very positive step forward for the group, characterised by a complete consensus among all members and a universal desire to add definition to our vision of Grand Prix Racing after 2007.
"We have moved a long way forward from establishing governing principles at Cliveden (south-west England) on February 16 this year, to considering a number of detailed proposals today.
"We have also set out a specific timetable to deliver our completed vision later this year.
"We look forward to contributing to a constructive dialogue about the future of Grand Prix Racing in due course, but first, we need to complete the process that we have underway."
The group plan to unveil a detailed blueprint of their vision for the future before the end of the year.
In January Ferrari - arguably the most famous and prestigious team in motorsport - split from its fellow manufacturers by deciding to stay in Formula One until 2012.
Formula One's British supremo Bernie Ecclestone offered Ferrari, the team of seven-times drivers world champion Michael Schumacher, an extra 500 million dollars (267 million dollars) over the next three years to remain loyal to the series.
04/07/2005 19:38 GMT