The FIA shifts the responsibility onto the FOTA

The FIA accuses the members of the FOTA (Formula One Teams Association) of being responsible for the failure to reach a compromise between the two parties. This reaction follows the announcement of the creation of a new series next year by the FOTA.

The eight members of the organization met Thursday evening at the Renault factory in Enstone to discuss their response to the FIA but also their conditions attached to their entries for the 2010 championship.

After deciding that they could not accept what had been put on the table by President Max Mosley, the teams confirmed that they would establish a new championship in 2010.

The FIA wanted to respond by expressing its disappointment with this decision and stated that certain elements of the FOTA have always wanted this situation. According to the governing body, they even tried to sabotage the operations.

« The FIA is disappointed but not surprised by the FOTA’s inability to reach a compromise in the best interest of the sport. »

« It is clear that some elements within FOTA have sought this outcome throughout the negotiations and did not engage in discussions in good faith. »

« The FIA cannot approve an arms race within the championship itself, any more than the FOTA dictates the rules of Formula 1. »

The FIA also confirms that the deadline to lift the conditions attached to team entries remains the close of business today. The official list of Formula 1 teams for 2010 will be announced.

« The deadline for entries in the 2010 Formula 1 championship expires tonight. The list of 2010 teams will be announced tomorrow. »