No pauses: Brawn GP are focusing on next season’s car already Photo: REUTERS

“We’ve been working on the new car for about a month now,” revealed team principal Ross Brawn. “About a third of our wind tunnel time at the moment is spent on the new car.”

Brawn, whose team are one of eight involved in a stand-off with the sport’s governing body, the FIA, over the 2010 rules, added that he was “completely confident” his team would be racing next year. The FIA has given the rebel teams until Friday to drop a number of conditions attached to their entry as the budget cap row rumbles on.

The FIA yesterday accused “an element” within the Formula One Teams’ Association of trying to scupper peace talks. It did not name individuals, however Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said on Saturday that the manufacturer teams were ready to organise a breakaway series if necessary. Toyota and Renault are the other two hard-line teams.

The FIA also expressed “surprise” at last week’s statement by the European car manufacturers’ association, ACEA, claiming that F1 needs a change of governance.

Significantly, the FIA drew attention to the fact that Porsche have distanced themselves from ACEA, prompting speculation that the German car maker could be looking at an involvement in grand prix racing under a cost cap.