The Grand Prix Drivers Associations (GPDA) seems to partner the FOTA in the FIA vs teams dispute, as most of the drivers making the numbers in the GPDA are currently employed by the rebel teams. Although Ferrari have not been included in the provisional-team list by the FIA, the Scuderia made it very clear that they will not enter the 2010 championship unless the conditions imposed by the FOTA will be met.
Under the circumstances, and given the FIA official statement the other day in which the ruling body confirms the failure of their negotiations with the FOTA representatives, Felipe Massa revealed where his heart is at the moment.
“As the teams appear to be united, then maybe it is time to look at doing something different that could be better for the sport,” said the Brazilian driver.
Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber took the same stand in his BBC column this week, saying that “we (the drivers) want to drive for the best teams and race against the best drivers. If it's not the FIA formula one world championship, so be it.”
Red Bull and Toro Rosso are believed to be in the same situation as Ferrari, as the two Red Bull backed teams have been included in the unconditional 2010 entry list against their will. What's interesting about Webber is that, although his deal with Red Bull expires at the end of the year, he still favors a breakaway series for 2010.
The 5 provisional 2010 entries (McLaren, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Renault and Brawn GP) have until June 19th to submit their unconditional applications for next season, but it's highly unlikely that the FIA and the FOTA will come to a conclusion until then. Our guess is the deadline will be further extended (once again) until someone will put a sense into them and the two organizations will finally reach an amicable solution somewhere around this year.
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