Fan Survey Shows Overwhelming FOTA Support

With the FIA summit already under way in Paris, the results of several surveys conducted worldwide have shown that the fans of Formula One are very clear about their stand in the ongoing dispute between the governing body and the FOTA. Both Formula One's trackside and television viewership are massive supporters of the teams, and not of Max Mosley.

As if the pressure on the World Motor Sport Council members isn't too big already, they will also have to take this latest information under review when deciding upon the support or dismissal of Mosley for the FIA presidency. According to several reports this week, the WMSC will today decide whether they'll support Mosley's budget cap and therefore position themselves on the 69-year old's side, or agree with the teams and suspend the FIA president.

Italy's Sky TV conducted a thorough pole within the Italian fans of Formula One, suggesting a 91% stand for the FOTA's potential breakaway series. If the pole may be regarded as a bit subjective, being that Ferrari are an active part in the ongoing dispute between the two organizations, the one conducted by Australia's network 10 cannot be contested by any member of the FIA.

According to this latter opinion pole, more than 65% of the respondents are backing the FOTA over the FIA.

In addition to those reports, British magazine SportsPro has recently published a list of world's 200 eminent sports properties, in which Ferrari was named the most valuable European sports property. Formula One came in third overall (in Europe), behind England's Premiership club Manchester United.