Crisis F1 2010

[Ruub]

I dont know where else to put it..

 

FOTA announces breakaway series

 

19 June 2009

 

 

Eight current teams have released a statement revealing that they are to leave Formula 1 at the end of this season. Members of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) sent out the message following a meeting on Thursday, stating that all current teams apart from Williams and Force India will leave F1 at the end of 2009.

 

 

With FOTA having been involved in a dispute with F1 governing body the FIA since the latter announced a €45m budget cap for next season, FIA president Max Mosley released one final proposal on Wednesday which described how, although a budget cap would remain, he was fully prepared to reach a compromise with FOTA. On top of this, the FIA also released letters this week stating that a number of current FOTA representatives, before the group was formed, agreed to the idea of a budget cap in January of 2008.

 

With this in mind and the FIA keen to receive all entries to next year's World Championship - and without containing any additional conditions on FOTA applications - Mosley insisted that all full, unconditional entries should be organised by this Friday in order to give new teams a reasonable chance for 2010 preperation. He also described how FOTA teams can, by modifying the Concorde Agreement of 1998, be able to enter the championship before then being able to write a new draft ahead of next year, meaning rule changes can take place in the process.

 

 

Believing that the upmost effort has been applied in order to seek an answer to the disagreement and following FOTA's own meeting at Renault's Enstone base - a stone's throw from Silverstone - on Thursday evening, the group released the following statement:

 

 

'Since the formation of FOTA last September the teams have worked together and sought to engage the FIA and commercial rights holder (Formula One Management, lead by Bernie Ecclestone), to develop and improve the sport. Unprecedented worldwide financial turmoil has inevitably placed great challenges before the F1 community. FOTA is proud that it has achieved the most substantial measures to reduce costs in the history of our sport. In particular the manufacturer teams have provided assistance to the independent teams, a number of which would probably not be in the sport today without the FOTA initiatives.

 

The FOTA teams have further agreed upon a substantial voluntary cost reduction that provides a sustainable model for the future. Following these efforts all the teams have confirmed to the FIA and the commercial rights holder that they are willing to commit until the end of 2012. The FIA and the commercial rights holder have campaigned to divide FOTA.

 

The wishes of the majority of the teams are ignored. Furthermore, tens of millions of dollars have been withheld from many teams by the commercial rights holder, going back as far as 2006. Despite this and the uncompromising environment, FOTA has genuinely sought compromise. It has become clear however, that the teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 World Championship.

 

These teams therefore have no alternative other than to commence the preparation for a new Championship which reflects the values of its participants and partners. This series will have transparent governance, one set of regulations, encourage more entrants and listen to the wishes of the fans, including offering lower prices for spectators worldwide, partners and other important stakeholders. The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature in this new series.

[tdu66]

Well, it was getting too expensive and it was killing itself really, I think this is better for the series...:sulk:

[Brad_F430]

Bad news as with the current economic downturn i dont know where F1 is going to find eight new teams for next year. Plus its too late to enter a new team for next year as there is not going to be enough time for all the testing or whatever. But if they do succeed in this at least we will have two racing series' to watch.

[Car Freak]

I was very intrigued by the whole debacle, and was actually quite hoping that FOTA would do this, if only to see how the FIA reacts... Oh well, even most of the teams have left, I don't think the actual racing drama will change that much. Sure some of the media will stop their coverage of F1 due to all the big names going, but as long as there is good coverage of both, this can only be a good thing to enthusiasts. Besides, if the new FOTA series can make everything cheaper (due to the fact that a big chunk of the money doesn't have to go Bernie's way anymore), then isn't that great for all involved?

 

And here's a very very interesting point to note: The first ever Formula One Championship race was held at Silverstone exactly 50 years ago. Seems like a very appropriate way to bookend Formula One's history, if you ask me...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_one#History

[RRacer]

THAT'S JUST HORRIBLE! :cry:

[Ruub]

and was actually quite hoping that FOTA would do this, if only to see how the FIA reacts..

 

I totally agree!

Well if it comes that far that we got 2 series, i think i will watch the FOTA Formule 1 instead of the FIA Formule 1

[Nodz86]

Well its been coming for ages. Now the FIA are looking to take legal action against FOTA. Bernie could move the F1 brand with the teams if he decides to (from what I have heard) which will be very messy and probably have complex legal issues.

 

IIRC Indy had a break away series and then after a few seasons they re-merged again, so might happen with F1.

 

It does open alot of possibilities of alot of the european circuits that have been dropped to re enter in the break away series calander.

[TDU 505]

Phew, finally Force India can have a podium finish.

[macd79]

now all we need is them to do this with rallying, STOP THE FIA RUINING MOTORSPORT!

[Nodz86]

didn't take the FIA long, they only announce late this morning their legal team where looking into this (they probably have been ever since talks of it started) and now they are taking legal action against FOTA and ALL rebel teams with them singalling out Ferrari

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/19/that-didnt-take-long-fia-sues-the-fota-over-breakaway-series/

[Nodz86]

Interesting interview with Max Mosely

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8109846.stm

 

basically explains the legal action, his views and what the row is about

[Mb]

http://up.metropol247.co.uk/manxy/CAR_WARS.jpg

 

:p

 

mod edit: Don't post images over 800x640 or 350KB.

[Ruub]

Awesome pic you got there MB! ;)

 

I also road that Bernie Ecclestone is talking to the FOTA now, cause he doesnt want them to leave, he will be prepared to let the Budget limit go, and also Max wil stand on the background now.. ;)

[KoenigseggBG]

That old douchebag, ruined the sport and won't give up and admit his defeat even now, when it's obvious game over...:mad: