THE world of Formula One faces the biggest crisis of its 60-year history. Eight teams – Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Brawn GP, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso – have confirmed their intention to form a breakaway series.
The bombshell follows weeks of talks over the regulations for the 2010 season following a failure between FIA president Max Mosley and the Formula One Teams' Association (Fota) to agree a compromise.
Here, we address the issues at the heart of the
matter:
• How did we get here?
Honda's shock withdrawal from F1 in early December forced Mosley to act after long bemoaning the out-of-control costs of competing.
Come March, Mosley announced the FIA's intention of introducing for the 2010 season a £30million budget cap. By the end of April, those plans were written into the sporting regulations for next year, and Fota objected, most notably Ferrari. Despite many rounds of talks, Mosley and Fota were unable to find any common ground, culminating in the split announced late last night.
• Who's behind it?
Initially, all ten of the current Formula One teams voiced their opposition to Mosley's regulations, but Williams and then Force India had to withdraw due to contractual obligations with the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management.
Eight teams currently remain, although the FIA insists Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso also have binding contracts, which is why they were included – against their wishes – on the entry list announced for 2010 announced last Friday by motor sport's world governing body.
• Why are Ferrari so against it? Surely they want to save money?
Of course they do, but they are most aggrieved as they believe the FIA published the regulations without their authority. In 2005, when the last threat of a breakaway was mooted, the FIA and Ecclestone managed to drag Ferrari back into the fold with a lucrative deal, as well as offering them a right of veto over any future rules.
Ferrari maintain the FIA invalidated the agreement by not allowing them a say in the new regulations. The FIA states discussions regarding a cost cap were first aired in January 2008 – and Ferrari were against them then.
• What next?
The FIA is due to announce the new entry list for 2010 today. It is likely there will be another five new entrants to replace McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber and Brawn GP who are not contractually tied to the powerbrokers. Fully expect Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso to again be on that list.
• So what's the most likely outcome?
A protracted legal wrangle. Ecclestone warned as recently as a few weeks ago he would sue Ferrari should they quit F1, and you can bet your bottom dollar the FIA will do the same. Red Bull and Toro Rosso's lawyers can also expect to be heavily involved.
• Surely that's no good for either F1 or a breakaway series?
Too right. Effectively you will have a tug of war over Ferrari, the most powerful motor-racing brand. It is hard to imagine either surviving without the scarlet red machines.
• What if the breakaway championship does happen?
Providing they can secure the race circuits, and there are many all over the world available, and more importantly television rights – a little more difficult – then it will be all systems go. On that basis, there is no reason to think it would not succeed.
• So what would happen to F1?
They would still be able to run a championship, but it would be a very watered-down version. Depending on contracts, it is likely sponsors, circuits and television companies would withdraw. Perhaps they could even cite breach of their own deals if they are dependent on the best teams being involved. If that were to happen, there is every possibility over time the sport could collapse.
• So where would the new series race?
Well, they would be unable to use the tracks currently in F1, but without doubt there would be no shortage of other takers. Silverstone, whose contract to stage the British Grand Prix runs out this weekend, would be first in the queue, followed by Imola, Montreal, Jerez, Mugello, Magny-Cours anywhere in the United States and how about this for a clincher, Monaco.
The Principality does not pay a penny to host the race, and the Automobile Club de Monaco proved this year it is not a FIA patsy. When the FIA announced the Monte Carlo Rally, traditionally the first on the calendar of the World Rally Championship, would run over alternate years, the ACM said "No thanks", pulled out and it now stages the Intercontinental Rally Challenge instead.
