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FOTA Opens Door for New Entries, Williams and Force India Still Suspended

The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) is currently lacking no less than 40 percent of the 2010 grid. Since the teams' alliance did not let go of their suspension for Williams F1 and Force India – for breaking ranks with the organization before the FIA-FOTA peace – and three more entries have been confirmed by the FIA in the meantime, 5 of the existing 13 teams will not have a saying within the FOTA.

Talking about the possibility of allowing the new entries to join the group – US F1, Campos Grand Prix and Manor Grand Prix – FOTA's vice-chairman John Howett insisted that the teams' organization is leaving the door open for future negotiations.

FOTA is open to talk; we believe dialogue is constructive and positive. Our door is open and I guess in the next two to three weeks, as the total situation is stabilised, we will enter into discussion with them should they wish to meet,” said Howett during the Bologna conference last month, as reported by the GMM news agency.

There's certainly no antagonism or hostility there, that's for sure. But eventually we would like to be part of it. But certainly I think we need to earn our place and are not just given it,” Manor's team boss John Booth was quoted as saying to online magazine GP Week.

However, Howett did not say anything about the possibility of allowing Williams and Force India to rejoin the group, as the two outfits remain suspended on indefinite term. In addition, FOTA announced it will publicly ask for an investigation “into how the new entries were selected by the FIA.”

Recent reports have showed that the new entries for 2010 were chosen by the FIA on a Cosworth deal related criteria, which would make their choosing process political, rather than sporting-orientated.
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