Sauber and Force India target engine agreement in letter to FIA/FOM

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Both Sauber and Force India have written to the FIA and FOM to express their belief that not enough has been done to help the smaller F1 teams on the engine front.

Team representatives Monisha Kaltenborn and Bob Fernley held further discussions on the matter with Bernie Ecclestone and FIA President Jean Todt last weekend in Barcelona.

It is unknown however exactly what transpired from the meetings as Force India's Fernley, while acknowledging a missive had been sent to both parties, refused to elaborate on the letter's exact content.

"A letter was sent to the FIA and the commercial rights holder, putting our position to them,” Fernley explained to Motorsport.com.

"I'm not going to deny that we sent it, but I'm not going to comment on it either."

As a reminder, Sauber and Force India filed a formal complaint in September 2015 with the European Competition Commission, addressing what they see as unfair and 'unlawful' practices in Formula 1's governance and distribution of revenues.

"The EU have slightly restructured because of the pressures that the competition department are under," Fernley explained.

"The sports complaints or inquiries have been put into one division. Because it's been moved, it has to go through the process again - in other words, people have to get up to speed and so on. Once they are ready, they will advise us.

"From our point of view, we can only work with the process that's available to us, and obviously we'd like to see the EU investigating, because clearly we need an independent body that has the power to make changes if necessary, and should they feel our complaint reasonable.

Bernie Ecclestone dismissed the complaint at the time, which also labeled F1 as a 'cartel', playing down its significance to the point where he hoped the competition authorities would indeed take the time to deal with it.

"“In all fairness, Bernie has dealt with this in a professional manner," Fernley concluded.

"He knows we're not happy and he respects our position, and I think it's a case now of it just going through the process."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.