In breaking news the FIA, who run Formula 1, and FOTA, the Formula One Teams Association, have been unable to come to terms on a deal to go ahead with the 2010 F1 World Championship
Formula 1 as we know looks like it is over. The most famous motorsport in the world was turned upside down last night after a meeting between the governing body, the FIA, and the teams association, FOTA, broke down. The debate between the FIA and FOTA on how to run the 2010 F1 World Championship has been a long and drawn out one, with cost capping of 45 million Euros per team being one of the major sticking points (FOTA didn?t want such dramatic cuts). While it had been hoped that a compromise would be reached, it wasn?t to be. FOTA immediately announced they would be going ahead with the creation of a breakaway series to begin in 2010.
During 2009 the FIA had invited additional teams to sign up for next years world championship, based on a new set of rules that would allow the use of a cheaper generic Cosworth engine if desired and included a budget cap of 45 million Euros. Team USF1, Manor and Campos where the new teams to added to the grid that is maxed out at 13.
But the majority of the current F1 teams have continually stated their objection to the new rules. These teams created FOTA to negotiate with the FIA and will now be involved in their own series. They include Ferrari, Red Bull (currently running Australian driver Mark Webber), McLaren Mercedes, BMW Sauber, Scuderia Toro Rosso, Toyota, Renault and current championship leaders Brawn GP.
That leaves Williams and Force India F1, both struggling for points, as the only current F1 teams looking likely to be on the FIA F1 grid next year alongside USF1, Manor and Campos. A raft of other teams had initially applied for entry to the 2010 championship before the new three were picked and it is likely the FIA will now go to that list to pick up to ten further new teams to make up the grid.
As for FOTA, their championship legally can?t be called F1, but it seems like it could be the new pinnacle of motorsports.
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