Formula One teams and the sport’s governing body were unable to end their increasingly bitter dispute on Friday after Ferrari applied to a French court for an injunction against proposed FIA rule changes.

Ferrari are one of four teams who have threatened to withdraw at the end of this season unless fundamental revisions are made to the new regulations.

The Italian team, as well as Toyota, Red Bull and Renault, claim that an optional 40 million pounds (44.8 million euros) cap to be imposed for next year could create advantages for those that agree to the new budget.

FIA president Max Mosley and F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone attended a meeting with team bosses at a Heathrow Airport hotel in London to discuss the crisis.

But at the end of the showdown talks no solution was agreed, with teams leaving to discuss alternatives.

“During the meeting it became apparent that Ferrari have made an application to the French courts to apply for an injunction to stop us doing what we want to do,” Mosley said.

“It was a friendly meeting but the teams have gone off to see if they can come up with something better than the cost cap.

“But what we have said to them is that it’s really not possible, if you are going to dramatically reduce the costs, to do anything better than a cost cut.

“We think that when they think about it when they consider it properly they will come back and agree.

“I’d be very surprised in the end if they do leave.”

Ecclestone claimed it had been agreed that all the teams should run under one set of regulations, ending fears of a two-tier championship.

“I think the most important thing that upset everybody is the two-tier technical system, and I think it’s been agreed that we shouldn’t have that, we should just have one set of regulations,” he told the BBC.

“I think everybody is more or less happy with the budget cap, it’s just a case of how much. I don’t know if that means it will be higher or lower, it’s a case of sorting that out.”

The teams who oppose the new regulations say that those who accepted the budget cap, thereby having access to various technical benefits which are currently banned under current specifications, would have an unfair advantage.

Speaking before the meeting, Renault boss Flavio Briatore was adamant that “the rules should be written by us” the teams rather than imposed from above by the FIA.

“They can’t be imposed by Max without him speaking to anyone. That’s an unacceptable way to work.”

Briatore stressed that the teams angered at the new rules were not seeking to form a breakaway championship but wanted to give their views regarding an alternative solution.

The deadline for teams submitting entries for next season is May 29 but Williams chief executive Adam Parr warned that “time is running out,” while adding that Williams stood by its support of the budget cap.

As some fret over the budget cap and its consequences the changes are to the liking of former Formula One outfit Lola, which indicated it is envisaging a return to the circuit.

The stable last raced in 1997 but said in a statement that it fully backed the FIA revamp and wanted a 2010 season slot.

“The budget cap is prudent, considering the backdrop of global economics. It also takes into account the need for new teams to be able to compete credibly against established entrants.”