Formula One's car manufacturers have criticised the dramatic rule changes announced this week.

GPWC - a company set up to represent the interests of five of the manufacturers in F1 - said the new regulations would harm the sport's traditions of being a pioneer for technical development.

It also criticised the sport's governing body, the FIA, for introducing them without sufficient notice and for disregarding cost-cutting measures that had already been agreed.

GPWC does not believe that the proposed changes are consistent with the contractual framework under which F1 operates GPWC statement

And GPWC - which represents DaimlerChrysler (Mercedes), Ford (Jaguar), Fiat (Ferrari), BMW and Renault - hinted strongly that it would try to get some of the changes reversed.

It said it would attempt to "ensure that changes are not implemented, or precedents set, that will cause problems for F1, the teams and drivers in the future."

On Wednesday FIA president Max Mosley announced a series of radical changes in a bid to cut spiralling costs and decreasing interest in the sport.

Among the changes for 2003 was a ban on radio communication between a team and its drivers and the ability to change cars' settings while they are out on the track outlawed.

By 2004, electronic driver aids will be banned - including traction control, launch control and fully automatic gearboxes.

The GPWC said: "The manufacturers are in favour of reducing costs.

"But F1 needs to keep its fundamental characteristic that it is the showcase for the highest level of technology, a place where the most advanced research is applied.

"It is also important that any changes to the rules be established with sufficient advance notice knowing that any change whatsoever inevitably increases cost, at least in the short term.

"We are dismayed to note that the cost-cutting measures already proposed have effectively been partially disregarded by the FIA.

"Whilst it does not believe that Wednesday's proposed changes are consistent with the contractual framework under which F1 operates, GPWC is committed to resolving matters in a manner that supports the sport."

Despite the row, GPWC has moved closer to taking a stake in the Slec holding company that controls F1's commercial rights.

GPWC has appointed financial consultant Goldman Sachs to begin discussions with the three banks that control 58% of Slec following the collapse of the German Kirch media empire last year.