Someone is telling porkies. The FIA statement seems to imply that rule changes from 2009 version require unanimous consent of all 13 teams. FOTA are saying that FIA told them that they would have no say ie only the 5 new teams can change rules.

Lechef's - 'Ferrari wins disney soapbox derby' comment bears some scrutiny, BUT Its probably better than - 'Williams wins chinese GP2 race by 36 laps, 20 spectators attended at an average ticket price of £1500. Bernie says prices set to rise to reflect success of series'

FOTA are a joke. They should know how the FIA operate, yet they walk blindly into these situation completely unprepared, then publicy make fools of themselves by walking out of yet another meeting because they don't get their way. Right now I desperately want FOTA to start their own series so Formula One can be rid of them. Maybe then the FIA can bring back the cap with technical freedom and we'll get to see F1 cars made with engineering brilliance and innovations that filter onto our own cars. Meanwhile, FOTA will be spiralling out of control with their childish need to spend spend spend and inability to agree to anything. But what will really happen? FOTA will sign to FIA's rules and be in F1 next year, happy that Max is standing down (and he will), then begin this whole fiasco again when they realise Mosely spoke for the unanimous FIA, not simply dictating everything he personally wanted, as people like to believe. The FIA are an organisation, not just one man.

FOTA trusted FIA on the 24th and didnt read the small print. SILLY.

So much for a "Gentleman's agreement". Max does not know how to keep his word, aand Bernie admies him as the FIA's dictator. He will mess FOTA about until it's too late to start a new series. He will continue to create one crisis after another. He will claim to be under pressure to stay (from miriad tiny clubs in Africa no doubt!), say he cannot leave in a crisis and run again. Even if he does not run he will manipulate it so that a JT or someone else he can control get the job. The whole election process within the FIA is stacked in his favor. FOTA have stated that they will listen to the fans and act on their wishes. WELL HEAR THIS - WE WANT A NEW SERIES WITH NO FIA, NO MAX, NO BERNIE.

"At no point in the Paris discussions was any requirement for unanimous agreement on regulations change expressed." Won't it be obvious to all involve that regulation change must be unanimous? Did FOTA think that they can ignore the other 5 teams and make rules that only suit them? The only sticking point is that the FOTA teams are not 'fully' enrolled! Thought that they were on the list for racing next year, if that's not fully enrolled then what is?!!! LindsayH, Max and Bernie are not teams, they are the ruling body (am putting it politely here), for F1 at the moment. They don't need to take care of competitors. While FOTA and the other teams would be racing together therefore need to make the rules agreeable to all.

It's very simple. FOTA did not bother to read the rules and did not have a competent lawyer present to remind them of what they had agreed to. If these monkeys can't read the rules properly how can they expect to be able to run their own breakaway series? I can see the headlines "Ferrari wins Euro-Disney Soapbox Derby"...

The fools took Max at his word. Like Chamberlain with Hitler and Clinton with the North Koreans (insert your own favourite handwringer vs dictator duo here) FOTA believed Max when he promised peace in our time and that he wouldn't run again. Now for the love of a strong drink WALK AWAY FROM THE FIA AND FORM YOUR OWN SERIES!!!!!

I'm pretty sick of all this bollitics now. I'm looking forward to the race on Sunday but for gods sake can we (the fans) ditch the FIA, Max and Bernie once and for all. FOTA go youre own way, I was dissapointed when the "truce" was announced. You cannot believe a word that Max spouts.

When is the FIA going to start acting like a professional sporting body rather than a bunch of kids in the playground?

Like most people on here i'm sick of this Saga and it's all down to Max and the FIA. The only solution i can see is for FOTA to form a breakaway series, they obviously have plans/ideas so lets see what they can do. Never mind striking a deal with CVC and Bernie let them rot along with Mosley, a decent series at tracks where fans will go, C'Mon FOTA get your finger out and get the breakaway series up and running for 2010...

i so hope FOTA leave, give them support http://www.teamsassociation.org/ ive emailed them over and over and told them to leave the FIA, we dont need politicians and adminstrators in F1, we need RACERS!

It is a bad situation,when they all said that there was an agreement,including mad max,someone explain to me what happened in three weeks.FOTA walk away now Mosley cannot be trusted(we all know that).Where is the world governing body?remove MAD Max now,before we the fans that Masley as forgatten stop following the sport.

One of the most interesting points brought up here is the fact that Williams (with Toyota engines) and Force India (with Mercedes engines) are both going to be without their engine suppliers next year if the FOTA teams pull out of Formula One to start their own series. That will mean five teams all running the Cosworth engines...I would be willing to vet that bernie and Max have a stake in Cosworth, too! And, of course, that would mean it would be a spec seroes because all of the cars would be running the same (BORING) engines. That HAS NOT worked for the IRL here in the USA, as all of the cars and engines are the same and very little passing is done...Good luck Bernie and Max...With that sort of series to promote, neither of youy will be around for very long...The other great comment was that the FIA constituency has been silent...I don't know whether or not Max has bought them off as has appeared in the past, but I would really like to see a poll of the member clubs of the FIA to see what each one thinks about this travesty that has ben perpetuated By Max, Charlie Whiting and Bernie.

Two lovely quotes from Ron Walker, Chairman of the Australian G.P. Quote #1 "If the disunity continues, Melbourne will seriously consider it's position on continuing with Formula 1" I know that Bernie will say that there's always Adelaide, but isn't it just so sad. Quote #2 "In my view Mr. Mosley should walk away from the sport with dignity rather than slowly strangle to death the great brand that is Formula 1".....A particularly touching and eloquent plea.

Since the FOTA eight aren't contractually entered for 2010 they can go start their own series. Hopefully, they will! Enough of this FIA changing directions at the whims of Mad Max. This guy is certifiably bonkers. He may be going but it's no surprise that he isn't going quietly.

"What does the greed of bernie bring to us.Nothing,ah yes more expensives tickets..And with the ego of the mosley and obviously he s not keen to stop.me too i would rather have no racing fro a year,time to get ready things and hopefully for 2011.But i won t watch this parodie of racing.When i think that in 1986 senna had 1400 bhp on qualy at monaco...F1 is dead a long time ago.

Max - "Anyone with an elementary knowledge of motor sport governance knows this" Pompous, Sanctimonious Toad!

Another attempt of FOTA to dictate and take F1 over!!! (But,this time-miscalculated) Don't give up,FIA! Let them go if they want.Invite other new teams.It would be far more interested to wacth.It's only a matter of time,when Ferraristas will crowll back.One by one...

"NickUSA" I too have trailed through the press release by the WMSC after it's meeting on the 24 June and to quote "The following teams have been accepted for the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship" HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED! the release then lists thirteen teams, ten 2009 teams and our new three 2010 starters God bless 'em, 26 cars. I don't think that there is much of a case for misinterpretation there? Then comes today's FIA release, again I quote "The President of the FIA wrote twice to the President of FOTA to remind them that any amendments to the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship regulations were subject to the unamimous approval of the five teams that had already entered for next season under the rules as published" FIVE TEAMS? Now what happened since the 24 June? todays release then goes on (eventually) "however, in the afternoon the FOTA teams wakked out of the TWG. Nevertheless the five entered teams were able to confirm the changes agreed by the WMSC in Paris on 24 June as announced yesterday"? I don't blame them, they must been nearly as confused as I. All I can take away from that is that the FIA and FIVE teams (incl. 3 New ones) have confirmed whatever changes have been changed - again. There's one little proviso which adds "All teams will adhere to an upgraded version of the governance provisions of the 1998 Concorde Agreement"..Could it be that therein lies the rub? Let's go through that last bit again - Agreed by the the WMSC in Paris on 24 June AS ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY..Where did that curved ball come from? Try as I might to interpret, I CAN'T, and to be honest, I really can't see a way back from this one. I'm trying not to side with FOTA, but finding it very difficult.

wow, im so confused. can someone digest this one for me? no understand whats going on! and i thought this was already over

Looks like James Allen has a fairly good handle on the story on his blog - perhaps a little less nuclear than FIA / FOTA press releases might suggest. Whatever you think of his broadcasting work, his written work is pretty damn good!

Aren't the FIA contradicting themselves here, how can they receive the unanimous vote of 13 teams if 8 of them have 'observer only' status, and why do the FIA (like insurance scammers) keep trying to get their story in first in order to make everyone else seem like liars, and why was Charlie Whiting so embarressed about telling the teams they have no vote. Come on FOTA it has to be a breakaway series now, surely.

FOTA were informed ....etc. Yes they were, so they attended a meeting to THEN be told they had no voting rights. So how could there be agreement with all teams? If everything has to be agreed why did Max attempt to impose a cap, why did Bernie try to change the scoring system, why were new rules for 2010 announced? Do I need to go on? How come Farrari was not entered, they were contratually bound, so FIA said a few weeks ago. Max and Bernie cannot be trusted on inch! FOTA should now walk away until they are gone. I would rather have no racing in 2010 than have them around any more. Please FOTA quit now! If you can't set up a series for 2010 just arrange some exhibition events and plan a proper series for 2011.

The FIA will lose, there is no doubt. Even if they were to win any court case, they will lose. The FOTA came away from the WMSC meeting, where the FIA was present, and with the WMSC statement, were confident of the rules returning to the pre-edict budget rules of April for 2010. That ruling by the WMSC could actually abrogate anything in the rules. The FIA, during the meeting of the WMSC ruling/statement, should have noticed this and made a condition to have the FOTA become unconditional in their entry for 2010. They didn't say anything, the WMSC ruled the FOTA would adhere to the pre-April rules and Max Mosley would stand down in running for another term as FIA President. Period. Max & the FIA took the suggested document the FOTA presented as the basis for the new Concorde Agreement and has now issued bracing comments which puts the FOTA out of the running for 2010 since they cannot be allowed (under the FIA's pre-June WMSC/FIA rules) to vote. One thing Max has done to secure a strong-armed rule over the sport is to have the ability to insert a rule anywhere, at any time, which can penalize anyone except the FIA, for any variance away from any agreement since the rules (in his eyes) void any outside agreement. Would Max like to be left alone in the world to stew in his own juices? Apparently so, as this fan cannot see any logic for the FOTA ever returning to speak with anyone from the FIA as long as the recalcitrant leadership team and their rules are in-place. While we are being distracted by this foolishness, from any racing, the racing this year is even suspect with the FIA allowing illegal aero pieces to be used, resulting in the championship being topsy-turvy without it being honestly obtained. Gee, could this be a part of the FOTA's case? Of course it is. They've (even BGP) been the victims of the FIA one more time. Is this now the infamous straw? We'll see.

ScouseUK said it how it is. Quite simply Fota need to boycott a race or just go ahead with this breakaway series. Max wants every manufacturer out of F1 as he thinks they cannot be relied on, he might just get his wish because toyota, renault, bmw are not gonna p***yfoot around with these ding dong battles. I aint no expert but it wouldnt surprise me if one of them pulls the plug because of this, and that is exactly what max wants. Really would not mind a boycott

FOTA should leave now and start racing in 2010. The owners of Fota ie: the car manufactures put up all the money and the FiA says they don't have a say, Nonsense. I think they should announce on Friday seeing that they don't have a contract they cannot race the rest of the season!!! If that happens it will CV partners about 3o seconds to get rid of Max, Charlie and the rest of the Max kiss butt boys along with Bernie. FOTA has the car the drivers and the money. Is Force India and Williams going to race pedal cars with out engines

more of the same old rubish,did anyone seriously think that max would take what happened in paris lieing down,he has months of his dictatorship left and is gonna use his powers to distroy the fota no matter what the cost,the damage being caused now is irepairable and there is now no way back,the fia have gone against an agreement made by the wmsc in paris so what is left now,the fota 8 need to boycott races now and the fans need to turn off and take back there tickets cause untill either 1 is done these tit for tat arguments will go on all season until like others have pointed out its to late to form a breakaway,thats maxs goal in all of this...... bring on the next round of the moto gp

Listen FIA - I'm sick of reading your self justifying releases obviously planned and written before the event, and primed to be delivered after FOTA or whoever have walked into your clever trap. ('HO HO how we laughed at their naivity. Round the corner to Maxim's for lunch shall we?') Well I'm telling you now, we're not that bloody naive and we're getting pretty sick of your inability to bring this issue to a satisfactory conclusion. Your job - Max - is to engage with all parties and resolve the outstanding issues - NOT VERY GOOD AT IT ARE YOU! At the end of the day, however this pans out, the FIA has shown itself incapable of even the most basic debate management and issue concilliation - surely a pre-requisite of a body comprised of and representing multiple global entities - ie the worlds auto-clubs. (I should say the worlds quietest auto clubs. Never have I seen such a prolonged, idiotic conflict without any semblance of an intelligible response or comment from a bodies constituent members. Max hide your balls behind the gin bottle did he boys?). FOTA comes across as open, concerned and frustrated - probably because they are! The FIA on the other hand seems quite at ease reneging on previous agreements and changing ground rules as and when it pleases. If you're going to play it that way Max at least have enough respect for the fans to hide it behind closed doors and don't rub our faces in it as you attempt to ride rough-shod over everybody. The FIA's real problem is that its losing the PR war. It looks like they are up against better men than them in this instance and the FIA badge will (I bet) be dragged through the mud. PS - FIA May I suggest you employ a professional press officer. As the old adage goes - 'if you can't say something in a paragraph, its probably a lie'. It's certainly boring and unlikely to be read in its fullness!

Thought F1 was the most glamorous sport in the world with geniuses at the helm,how wrong have i been?

OK LETS CHANGE THE FIXED RULES IN EVERY SPORT THE MOMENT ENGLAND START TO LOSE THEN WE COULD WIN EVERYTHING. If FIA had change binding rules you would be screaming. Some rules are set and FOTA members have been in the sport long enough to know which ones so get off you high horses and stop talking rubbish. At the moment what ever FOTA says even if its lies is ok with you lot. The only loses here are you as you would have these four teams dictate the rules and force out all small teams.

Surely this proves that Mosley and his band of FIA puppets cannot be trusted. They have proven themselves time after time to be barefaced liars. FOTA should learn the lessons and walk away from the FIA and not bother returning. This is the FIA's way of stalling so if and when FOTA do walk there will not be enough time to set up a new series. Personally I have now got to the stage where it would be worth not having racing in 2010 and giving FOTA a chance to get things up and running for 2011. Then the FIA can go go and destroy some other series.

So if the FIA says that the 8 FOTA teams are not yet entered in the 2010 championship, then surely they are free to set up a new racing series without threat of legal action. And what happened to the earlier statement that Ferrari is contractually obliged to enter until 2012? I know everyone keeps bemoaning what's going on (and it is terrible) but I'm utterly gripped by it. I can't get enough - it's like watching Dallas again. Come on Luca, your turn. What a laugh :-D

SERIOUSLY! This is how WAR starts, both sides unwilling to be reasonable or risk losing face, For God's sake isnt there a voice of reason somewhere in amongst the lot of them? This is frankly embarrasing now.

""Imagine the uproar if, after the FOTA teams had entered, the World Council were subsequently to change the rules without asking them." Yeah, COULD YOU IMAGINE THAT ?!? The FIA changing the rules all of a sudden, without asking the teams before that? Why, that's unheard of ! Oh, no, wait, didn't that happen like THREE MONTHS AGO ?!? I sooo hope the FOTA get their their act together and sue the FIA and especially Mosley and Whiting. They have a WRITTEN AGREEMENT, which has the weight of a CONTRACT, for next year, which includes regulations, costs, accepted teams and so on. What i'm really hoping for now, though, is that the FOTA teams boycott the upcoming German Grand Prix and stick it to max and fia once and for all >.<

Wait a minute. FIA claims FOTA was already -twice- updated that all 13 teams had to unanimously agree upon the coming regulations. So far so good. Yet it is my understanding that on Wednesday's meeting the FOTA-eight were refused voting rights. In other words, FIA wanted only the five non-FOTA teams to vote while the others could simply stand by and watch. Is this some kind of mathematics in absurdity that five equals thirteen, or what? Why should the F1 world stand and take more from a man like Mosley? How long does Mosley believe even FIA, the WMSC and others should bear him on their backs? And what for? Max has always been a troublemaker and a poor looser it seems.

Pathetic, innit ?

The FIA moved the goalposts a few galaxies with seconds notice and went back on agreements, what else was there to do but walk out ? Do not be taken in by one single word of Moseley's bullying, the man is sick and must be got rid of. If he is not toppled, there will be no F1 racing next year, possibly ever again. We must do whatever it takes to get rid of Max, all his cronies and all influence.

The FIA is just trying to blow smoke to cover up the obvious about face they turned when they told the FOTA membership that they were subject to the approval of the 2010 rules by the other five teams, AFTER the FIA and FOTA had agreed at the meeting of the WMSC that the rules would remain the same as in 2009. Charlie Whiting was also added fuel to the fire when he states at yesterdays meeting that the FOTA teams were NOT entered for the 2010 season. This was also agreed to by both sides at the WMSC meeting and proof of that is in the FIA published list of entrants for 2010 that included all eight FOTA member teams...SO what we have here is the FIA which steadfastly continues to go against it's own words, and the FOTA that seems to be working in the best interests of all concerned, including us...The FANS. At this point I'd just as soon see the FOTA break away from the FIA and begin thier own series and finally be rid of Max and Bernie for good. These two have done more harm to F1 in one year than anyone can imagine!!! It's time to get back to the things we love the most...technology, innovation and great driving!!!

It's now clear that Max and Bernie are both too arrogant, self-centered and duplicitous to be trusted in any further dealings with FOTA. FOTA needs to cut their losses right now - bail out of Bernie's private circus and fast-track the process for setting up a rival series and World Championship next year. Bernie, Max, and the FIA minions are just jerking them around.

Oh God!!! Here we go again.

I am losing will to live. SOMEONE GET A GRIP!

As much as the FIA need to get their act together and stop trying to cause waves with the FOTA teams, I would suggest some superglue on the seats of the FOTA representatives at these meetings to attempt to keep them there to discuss the problems rather than walking out and the argument spilling into the newspapers each time...

Max and his legalities! I don't blame FOTA for their reaction because they have lost their faith in FIA(max) and the dictator lover. Therefore they are watchng over their shoulders all the time!

Either the FIA is lying, or FOTA. What happened to the undertaking that Max Mosley would keep out of F1 business?