Planet-F1

FOTA: Breakaway threat is 'still there'

Friday 10th July 2009

The threat of a breakaway series continues to lurk menacingly in the background as FOTA refused to buckle in the ongoing war with FIA President Max Mosley.

That was the underlying message emerging from the paddock at the Nurburgring, despite the peace pact drawn up between Mosley, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and FOTA chairman Luca di Montezemolo two weeks ago.

The goalposts have shifted since then, with BMW boss Mario Theissen pointing the blame at "irritating elements" for the latest discord to blight Formula One.

Behind the scenes, it is understood the eight member teams of FOTA are refusing to sign a new Concorde Agreement - the confidential document that governs the commercial side of the sport - unless they have cast-iron assurances Mosley will not stand again for the presidency.

In an FIA statement on Thursday with the headline 'Setting The Record Straight' after FOTA stated the future of F1 was again "in jeopardy" on Friday, the governing body have claimed the signing of the Concorde Agreement could be done "in the coming days."

That was dismissed as "over-optimistic" by Theissen, with the whole 700-word draft seemingly viewed as little more than FIA propaganda.

The bottom line would appear to be that Mosley, who suggested he would stand again after becoming infuriated with FOTA's 'victory' celebrations in the wake of the £40million budget cap being scrapped, must go if the sport as we know it is to survive.

It is believed high-level talks have taken place between the teams and senior figures above Ecclestone at CVC - the commercial rights holders - who are determined to protect their £1.5billion asset.

Toyota Motorsport president and FOTA vice-chairman John Howett did not wish to be drawn, other than to say: "The commercial rights holder understands what's required to get our signatures on the Concorde Agreement, and agreement with them is very close."

With regards the prospect of a breakaway, Howett added: "It's still there, but we still have to act in a professional and sensible way.

"I don't think we've ever taken it away. We've just put it on the backburner, although it is probably closer now than it was 24 hours ago.

"But we know exactly what we expect, what we need to get, and we are making positive progress."

This latest round of politicking will only further anger the fans who simply want to see the best cars on the grid with the world's best drivers at the wheel next year.

"All we have to do is apologise to the public," remarked Howett.

"At the moment they should trust us because we know exactly where we're going, we've the alternative still on the table, and we are making progress with the important parties."

The fear is there may come a point when a breakaway series becomes impossible, and F1 still finds itself governed by Mosley.

But Howett said: "We build racing cars very quickly.

"There are plenty of circuits around, and there are many television production companies that do huge external broadcasts such as the Olympics and the World Cup.

"You shouldn't misunderstand. It's not that challenging to run a successful Championship, and there are a lot of circuits around that would break an arm to do a deal with us.

"We feel it can go longer before we reach the point of no return, so don't worry. Relax."

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has conceded to "a bit of turbulence at the moment with the FIA."

However, he added: "I'm hoping common sense will prevail, and we can find a solution very shortly.

"I don't think we're a million miles apart. The devil is in the detail with all these things, but we're not far off seeing the end of this unhealthy situation for Formula One."

As he added, however, a breakaway cannot be dismissed, stating: "In this paddock nothing is out of the question.

"I don't think you can rule it out totally, but the intention is to find a position that everybody can live with.

"I'm just hopeful we can bring a close to this situation that is uncomfortable for all Formula One members.

"At the end of the day we have a duty to our employees, and to the fans, to ensure there is a championship next year that is befitting the status of Formula One."

Adding fuel to the fire, Australian Grand Prix chairman Ron Walker has insisted Mosley has to go if his race is to survive.

"If the disunity continues, Melbourne will seriously consider its position on continuing with Formula 1," Walker told Australian newspaper The Age.

"Without Ferrari racing in Melbourne (the race) will lose much of its glamour and therefore the government investment will come into question.

"In my view Mr Mosley should walk away from the sport with dignity rather than slowly strangle to death the great brand of Formula One.

"The sport needs fresh and dynamic leadership more than ever before to lead F1 into a new era of motor racing.

"Bernie Ecclestone is absolutely trying to be a peacemaker, but if the most successful automotive companies in the world will not agree to the rules laid down by the FIA then that will be the end of it."

Related Links
FIA: FOTA knew the deal before the meeting
Theissen: FOTA keeping all options open