As their sell-out process took longer than expected, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) were forced to hand the 13th and last entry of the 2010 season to another outfit. In the end, it was Lotus F1 Team who got the approval to start their own F1 team.
Only days after the FIA made public the final entry list for the next season, BMW announced the sell-out of their F1 operations to Swiss company Qadbak. When announcing the transaction, BMW expressed its hopes that the newly formed team would receive the go ahead from the ruling body to start preparations for the 2010 season.
“Our position is that we wouldn't wish to block Sauber who are an established FOTA member. If it gives clarity to Sauber, I think it would be right to agree to there being 14 teams in the event that one of them is Sauber. But I think 14 is too many teams, frankly,” McLaren's boss Martin Whitmarsh was quoted as saying to the media during the Suzuka weekend.
Although Ferrari are also supporting Sauber's 14th entry proposition, there seems to be at least one team playing defense every single time this season. While the FIA announced it will support the move only if the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) will agree to it, it now seems Williams F1 are against BMW Sauber joining the 2010 lineup.
Frank Williams' team is again part of the FOTA as of last month. In order for the FOTA to sent a positive message to the FIA, all members must approve the proposition.
Google News