Dennis defends opposition to FIA cost-cutting

Ron Dennis has defended his opposition to centralised cost-cutting in formula one.

After Tuesday's meeting of the F1 Commission in Geneva, the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport claimed it was McLaren and Ferrari most staunchly opposed to proposals that might see the FIA police measures to cut costs for struggling teams.

Dennis has been quoted by the Portuguese-language Grande Premio as arguing that small teams in fact do not need cost-cutting rules, but rather more discipline to operate within their budgets.

"It happens every year," Dennis, the McLaren supremo, reportedly said.

"F1 teams spend the money they have, and you would not believe the new ways they will find to do so.

"You (team bosses) need to make the decision, because this is a sport that will absorb whatever money you choose to spend on it," he added.

Dennis also insisted that, despite the collapse of Caterham and Marussia and the obvious struggles of other independent teams, much of the debate about cost-cutting is actually simply a plot to become more competitive.

"Most of the time, when you discuss it calmly and rationally, arguments about where costs must be spared is camouflage. What they really mean is that if they can impose restrictions, they will be more competitive.

"The argument is usually focused on things they don't have rather than saving money," he added.

"It is three times more expensive to be competitive than it is to compete. So you will never be competitive if there are those spending three times more," said Dennis.

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