FIA Not Surprised of Breakaway Series

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) confirmed that it has not reached an agreement with the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) regarding the rules for 2010. Although this was quite obvious, given the FOTA statement yesterday, the response from the FIA earlier today is likely to send the world of Formula One into another political crisis for the weeks/months to come.

The FOTA had announced yesterday, following a teams' meeting in the Renault F1 headquarters at Enstone (UK), that they will not agree to the proposals initiated by Max Mosley and will form a rival series in 2010.

Responding to FOTA's letter, the FIA blamed several factions of the teams' body – not giving any names, though – for the failure of the discussions. While expressing their disappointment over FOTA's conclusions, the ruling body did not announce what the consequences will be if the teams will refuse to lodge unconditional entries for 2010.

“The FIA has noted the latest press statement from FOTA. The FIA is disappointed but not surprised by FOTA’s inability to reach a compromise in the best interests of the sport. It is clear that elements within FOTA have sought this outcome throughout the prolonged period of negotiation and have not engaged in the discussions in good faith,” said the FIA statement.

“The FIA cannot permit a financial arms race in the Championship nor can the FIA allow FOTA to dictate the rules of Formula One. The deadline for unconditional entries to the 2010 FIA Formula World Championship will expire this evening. The 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship entry list will be announced tomorrow,” added the FIA release.