Williams have been temporarily suspended from the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA). It follows Monday’s confirmation that Williams have lodged a formal entry for next year’s championship, despite the ongoing dispute between the teams and the FIA over the 2010 regulations.

“FOTA’s decision, although regrettable, is understandable,” said team principal Frank Williams after the news emerged from a meeting of team bosses in London on Wednesday. “However, as a racing team and a company whose only business is Formula One, with obligations to our partners and our employees, submitting our entry to next year’s championship was unquestionable.

“In addition, we are legally obliged under our contract with FOM and the FIA to participate in the world championship until the end of 2012.”

Teams have until this Friday (May 29) to submit their entries for 2010, but several have suggested they will not do so unless the FIA modifies plans to introduce an optional £40 million budget cap in exchange for more technical freedom.

During last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix all ten teams wrote to the FIA, requesting that the existing 2009 technical rules be retained for next season to allow more time for the future framing of the Formula One regulations to be considered.

Source - F1.com

Image (c) Bridgestone Corporation

Join the forum discussion on this post - (2) Posts

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.”

Dear friends,

I want to thank you personally for the numerous messages of support we received from all over the world over the last hours on our website and via email. It is important to know that we can count on the support of our fans all over the world and that our fans completely share the motivations, which brought us to take such a decision. If we were forced to leave the Championship we were part of over the last 60 years of our history and where we set all the records in terms of victories, it is because they want to change the nature of its founding values.

If it really was like that, then I have to say that our cars will race in other competitions, where – and I am absolutely convinced about that – they will find the enthusiasm and the passion of millions of fans, following us in every corner of the world. Racing is part of Ferrari’s DNA and this is something that will never change.

Luca di Montezemolo

Image (c) Bridgestone Corporation