French Court to Issue Ferrari Verdict Later This Week

The French court will not give a clear verdict to Ferrari's legal action against the FIA (injunction over the 2010 regulations) on Tuesday. Although the three judges presiding in the Paris' Tribunal de Grande Instance will hear the Scuderia's arguments today, it is believed they will take a few days to analyze the arguments and only then announce a final verdict.

As argued by one of Ferrari's lawyers, Emmanuel Gaillard, the 2010 entry list deadline imposed by the International Automobile Federation for May 22 thru 29 is not compliant with Ferrari's current “contract” with the ruling body.

“Teams have to register (for the 2010 season) between May 22 and 29, and must therefore accept the new regulations. Yet, this rule runs totally contrary to the pledges that have been made to Ferrari in the past,” Gaillard was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.

According to German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, the verdict will be made public by the French court later this week, with a court spokesperson confirming it. However, the source did not give an official deadline for the final verdict.

Ferrari's privileges towards the FIA (as compared to the other teams) have their roots back in 2005. Following a “breakaway” threat from most F1 manufacturers, the ruling body agreed to sign a compromise treaty with the Maranello team. The agreement offered the Scuderia “more commercial income, stable rules, and special 'veto' power regarding major upheavals,” as noted by GMM news agency.

FIA's Max Mosley had a quick response to Ferrari's legal actions, arguing that it was actually the prancing horse who failed to hold their part of the bargain when forming the Formula One Teams Association (an organization in constant disagreement with the FIA lately) in 2008.