Williams F1 candidate for the 2010 championship

Williams became the first of the teams currently present in Formula 1 to submit its application for the 2010 World Championship, despite the uncertainty regarding the regulations.

Twenty-four hours after the members of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) reaffirmed their unity to seek a modification of the 2010 regulations, Williams decided to submit its application.

Adam Parr, General Director of Williams, told Reuters that his team’s decision does not contradict the FOTA.

« The unity of FOTA is of paramount importance for Williams. Yesterday, we joined the other members of FOTA in writing to the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) to find a compromise on the 2010 regulations, » explained Parr.

The teams wrote to the FIA President, Max Mosley, telling him they would commit to racing until 2012 and sign a new Concorde Agreement if the FIA changed the regulations.

Speaking about the Concorde Agreement, Parr stated: « We believe that under the leadership of Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and Toyota Motorsport president John Howett, FOTA has already made very significant concessions to the FIA.

« It’s not just about the budget cap, but also other factors that lead to an increase in team budgets to participate in the championship. »

« That being said, Williams has a contract with FOM (Formula One Management) and the FIA to participate in the World Championship from 2008 to 2010. »

He added: « We have fully paid our participation and we feel morally and legally obliged to partake in the Formula 1 championship, as we have done over the past thirty years. »

« We owe it to our employees, our sponsors, and our fans, who are all affected by the teams’ statements about not entering the championship next year. »

« We will continue to work within the FOTA to find a compromise with the FOM and the FIA. »

The other members of FOTA are expected to meet this week to decide on the course of action regarding their entry into the 2010 championship since the application deadline is Friday.