FOTA Hand Williams F1 Temporary Suspension

Formula One Teams Association decided, after hours of discussion during today's meeting in London, to temporarily suspend Williams F1 Team from the organization. The reason for that decision was, apparently, the fact that Frank Williams' team broke the initial deal with the FOTA and submitted an application to a 2010 F1 entry earlier this week.

It was confirmed that a letter was sent by the FOTA to FIA's president Max Mosley, in which all teams signed and agreed not to submit their application for a 2010 entry unless the ruling body will further revise the rules for 2010. The general idea of the letter was to let the FIA know that all F1 teams are united in their effort to find an amicable solution to the current crisis.

Williams, however, decided to break that deal, announcing that they will take part in next year's F1 championship no matter what. As a result, as shown in a press release from the Grove based team, the FOTA decided to temporarily exclude the team from future meetings.

“Following Monday’s confirmation that the team has submitted its formal entry for the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship, the Formula One Teams Association has today decided temporarily to suspend Williams F1 from membership of FOTA,” said the press release.

Talking about his team's decision to submit the application, the team owner made it very clear that the step was made in order to honor his deal with the Formula One Management, as well as with its sponsors. However, he admitted he was expecting such a decision from the FOTA.

“FOTA’s decision, although regrettable, is understandable. However, as a racing team and a company whose only business is Formula One, with obligations to our partners and our employees, submitting our entry to next year’s Championship was unquestionable. In addition, we are legally obliged under our contract with FOM and the FIA to participate in the World Championship until the end of 2012,” said Williams.