The FIA says it is “disappointed but not surprised” by FOTA’s decision to launch a breakaway championship, restating its belief that elements within the teams’ organisation were always intent on scuppering any negotiated solution.
After a final round of talks at Renault’s headquarters in Enstone yesterday, the Formula One Teams’ Association made the bombshell announcement that it would be carrying out its threat – which had been implicit for some time – to call the FIA’s bluff in the political battle that has convulsed F1 by forming its own rival series.
The governing body issued a brief statement in response this morning in which it accused a hardline faction of seeking a split all along.
“The FIA has noted the latest press statement from FOTA,” the statement said.
“The FIA is disappointed but not surprised by FOTA’s inability to reach a compromise in the best interests of the sport.
“It is clear that elements within FOTA have sought this outcome throughout the prolonged period of negotiation and have not engaged in the discussions in good faith.”
FIA president Max Mosley had refused a request from FOTA to extend today’s deadline for teams to drop the conditions attached to their 2010 entries, arguing that it could not keep the aspiring new outfits on its reserve list waiting any longer.
And while Mosley had indicated that he was willing to compromise on next year’s budget cap figure and make minor amendments to F1’s governance, he remained steadfast in his demand for a €45m cap from 2011 and insisted that teams drop their entry conditions first before significant governance changes could be considered.
FOTA evidently found these limited concessions insufficient, but the FIA said it had a duty to press ahead with its cost-cutting agenda in the interests of the sport and would not have the rules dictated to it by the teams’ alliance.
The governing body added that it would not be extending this evening’s deadline for unconditional entries to be submitted and would announce the final 2010 entry list tomorrow morning.
“The FIA cannot permit a financial arms race in the championship nor can the FIA allow FOTA to dictate the rules of Formula 1,” it said.
“The deadline for unconditional entries to the 2010 FIA Formula World Championship will expire this evening.
“The 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship entry list will be announced tomorrow.”