F1: FIA Claims FOTA Trying To Overthrow Governing Body
The FIA has flamed tensions with the Formula One Teams Association after releasing a statement criticising the organisation’s attempts to wrest power away from the governing body’s President, Max Mosley.
In a statement, the French-based association c
The FIA has flamed tensions with the Formula One Teams Association after releasing a statement criticising the organisation’s attempts to wrest power away from the governing body’s President, Max Mosley.
In a statement, the French-based association claims it will not back down to FOTA’s demands and its attempt to take control of the F1 championship.
"The FIA and FOM have together spent decades building the FIA Formula One World Championship into the most watched motor sport competition in history," the statement said.
"In light of the success of the FIA's Championship, FOTA - made up of participants who come and go as it suits them – has set itself two clear objectives: to take over the regulation of Formula 1 from the FIA and to expropriate the commercial rights for itself. These are not objectives which the FIA can accept."
The statement also reaffirmed the FIA’s commitment to cost-cutting in Formula 1 and its importance in weathering the current financial crisis.
[caption id="attachment_30568" align="aligncenter" width="555" caption="FIA boss Max Mosley."][/caption]
It also suggests the motivation for a cost-capped formula lies in the teams reluctance to commit to the sport long term.
"If we wish to see innovative technology in Formula 1, the only way is to limit expenditure and allow the engineers freedom to do their best within a fixed budget,” the statement continued”
"This is exactly what happens in the real world and it is the only way forward for Formula 1. Without technical innovation, Formula 1 will wither and die. Without real cost constraints, Formula 1 will lose its teams. This is why the FIA is insisting on cost restraint as part of the Formula One regulations."
In addition to the lengthy statement outlining its concerns, the FIA have also released a series of correspondence sent between Mosley and Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo, highlighting the Briton’s attempts to reach a compromise.
Among the concessions, Mosley said he would agree to a budget cap starting at €100 million for 2010 before sliding to €45 million in 2011, while he also proposed the wage of one staff member would not count toward the cap.
Mosley also agreed to abolish the two tier system provided the teams agree to give technical assistance and share knowledge with new outfits for 2010 and possibly 2011.
Finally, he also suggested the FIA was prepared to name the cost restrictions ‘financial regulations’ if it would appease the teams.
The release of the document and accompanying letters suggests the saga is finally drawing to a conclusion, although hopes of a 2010 season containing Ferrari are quickly evaporating.
FOTA aligned teams have until Friday to submit an unconditional entry or face being replaced by a number of the teams waiting on standby, including Prodrive, Lola and N. Technology.
However, it is believed Brawn, McLaren and the Red Bull duo may relent before the deadline and submit to the FIA’s demands considering racing is their livelihood.
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