FOTA teams call off breakaway series

[david1275]

It's all over, F1 is as we know it is safe for now, Max's 40mill budget cap is scrapped, and Max is not standing for re-election. Looks like we will never see what the breakaway series would have brought, but I can live with that even if it was mildly exciting.

By Edd Straw and Jonathan Noble Autosport.com


The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) will officially call off its plans for a rival championship tomorrow after reaching a breakthrough deal with the FIA.

Following last-ditch talks between FIA president Max Mosley, FOTA chairman Luca di Montezemolo and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, an agreement was reached that commits the teams to the sport until 2012.

FOTA members had been set to press ahead with breakaway plans in the meeting in Bologna tomorrow, but following its victory in getting the FIA and Ecclestone to agree to terms that keeps its eight members in F1, it will now rubber stamp final cost-cutting regulations for 2010 and call off its breakaway instead.

The deal between the FIA and FOTA was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon, when the FIA announced that its planned budget cap for 2010 had been scrapped, and instead FOTA-proposed cost-cutting regulations will be introduced.

In a bid to help new teams, technical assistance will be offered to Campos Meta, Manor Grand Prix and Team US F1 by major outfits.

The FIA statement said: "As part of this agreement, the teams will, within two years, reduce the costs of competing in the championship to the level of the early 1990s.

"The manufacturer teams have agreed to assist the new entries for 2010 by providing technical assistance."

As part of the deal with FOTA, the teams' association has agreed to recognise the FIA's position as the sport's governing body, adding that a new Concorde Agreement has been agreed in principle to keep all of the teams in F1 to 2012 and, upon re-negotiation, it is hoped beyond.

"The manufacturer teams have further agreed to the permanent and continuing role of the FIA as the sport's governing body," added the statement. "They have also committed to the commercial arrangements for the FIA Formula 1 World Championship until 2012 and have agreed to renegotiate and extend this contract before the end of that period.

"All teams will adhere to an upgraded version of the governance provisions of the 1998 Concorde Agreement."

Furthermore, with it clear that FOTA is not trying to usurp the FIA's authority, FIA president Max Mosley has agreed to not stand for re-election in October.

[SennaMan]

poor ole Max, surely he knew the "Golden Rule"?

"The rules are made by those who have the gold to ensure they continue getting the gold. Whomsoever stands in their way of recieving more gold shall be removed forthwith."

so long ya mug - and good riddance!

[Jericoke]

I'm happy for peace, but was looking forward to new technical regs next season.

I can certainly appreciate why anyone with deep pockets and a rich heritage would hate a balance system, but I do like the idea of forcing teams to be creative!

[SennaMan]

I'm happy for peace, but was looking forward to new technical regs next season.

I can certainly appreciate why anyone with deep pockets and a rich heritage would hate a balance system, but I do like the idea of forcing teams to be creative!

i understand where you are coming from Jeri but my take on F1 is that since May 1994 where both roland and ayrton died at San Remo, one negative result of the regulations has been the supression of the teams' creativity and technical innovation, all under the banner of safety and uniformity

no rational person would stop safety precautions for drivers and spectators, however, the increasing rigidity of the regulations has prevented individual teams from being original - look at the kerfuffle BRAWN's diffusers created this year and previously RENAULT's mass dampeners and FERRARI's movable floor and various teams' flexible wings, all of which were ruled illegal.

many of the teams objected to the diffusers on the grounds it breached the very "spirit" of the regulations and it took an FIA ruling to actually clear it

historically the teams do not need much encouragement to gain any advantage they can even if they do breach and break current regulations

i, for one example, would love to see teams once again being alllowed to design different engines within the allowed maximum engine capacity

and like you Jeri i am all for peace and stability; the last few years have had far too much controversy for me - let's get back to the fabulous racing