FIA respond to team alliance breakaway
Governing body blames the teams for lack of compromise 19/06/09 08:57
Hot on the heels of the announcement that the eight Formula One Teams' Association members are to form their own breakaway series, the sport?s governing body put out a statement saying that are not surprised by the move given that both sides were unable to come to an agreement over the future of Formula One.
The FIA however firmly pins the blame on the breakdown in negotiations on the team alliance.
"The FIA is disappointed but not surprised by FOTA?s inability to reach a compromise in the best interests of the sport," the statement reads. "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.
?The FIA cannot permit a financial arms race in the Championship nor can the FIA allow FOTA to dictate the rules of Formula One.
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The FIA confirmed that the deadline for unconditional entries into the FIA Formula One World Championship remain unchanged with entries to be submitted by this evening and that the entry list will be published on Saturday.
As it stands, the FIA championship ? minus the eight FOTA members ? will feature Williams, Force India, Manor, US F1 and Campos teams. Lola has already withdrawn its entry while the likes of Prodrive, Brabham and March may be called up to help fill the field.