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Formula One stand-off resolved
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Max Mosley unlikely to restand for FIA presidency. Photo: AP/Max Nash
In a statement released today, FIA Chief Max Mosley has advised that negotiations between the Formula One Teams Association and the FIA have been resolved following an agreement over budget costs.
The rules will now be the same for everyone, and the voluntary 40 million budget cap which teams like Ferrari claimed would generate a two tier competition has been shelved. Specific details are still sketchy, but the aim is to reduce the Formula One team budgets to those of the early 1990’s, which everyone has agreed to. Current teams will be obliged however, to provide technical assistance to new teams in terms of engine development and chassis design to ensure competitiveness.
Significantly, Mosley has indicated he will step down as FIA chief by not seeking re-election, although some pundits have reminded us that he said this in 2004, only to seek and win re-election. So who is Max Mosley and what exactly is FOTA?
Mosley, is probably known to many as a result of last year’s sex scandal, when News of the World controversially released video of Mosley engaging in a masochistic sex act with five prostitutes. Mosley successfully sued the paper over allegations it had made about Nazi overtones in the video. Conclusions drawn by the public and the press, since Moseley’s father, Oswald Mosley, was a former leader of the British Union of Fascists in the 1930’s, must have been deeply embarrassing.
(Bernie Ecclestone still maintains significant control of F.1's commercial interests. Photo: AP/Max Nash)
Many expected, and some hoped, Mosley would walk away from the FIA, but given his upbringing it is perhaps unsurprising he has a penchant for sticking to his guns. Mosley is classically educated, holding both a law degree and an Honorary Doctorate in Civil Law. He has, often in partnership with Bernie Ecclestone, spent the better part of 30 years negotiating contracts for Formula One teams - a little ironically - with its’ various ruling bodies. The latest row is nothing he hasn’t already experienced on many occasions and what you have in Mosley is astute and intelligent individual who knows the in and outs of Formula One better than just about anyone. Some have suggested therefore that the latest agreement is a victory for FOTA.
(FOTA Chairman and Ferrari boss, Luca di Montezemolo arrives in style here at Monaco. Photo: AP/Antonio Calanni)
FOTA was formed late last year following concerns about the financial direction of the sport and rule changes proposed under Mosley’s and Ecclestone’s charge. It includes most of the major manufacturers except the Force India and Williams teams, who were suspended for unconditionally signing contracts for the 2010 series. The principal members are as follows: Luca di Montezemolo (Chairman), John Howett (Vice Chairman), Ross Brawn (Executive Committee/Technical Regulations Working Group), Martin Whitmarsh (Executive Committee/Sporting Regulations Working Group), Flavio Briatore (Executive Committee/Commercial Development Working Group), Simone Perillo (Secretary General).
(Ross Brawn owner and Team Principal for Brawn GP. Photo: AP/Lefteris Pitrakis)
(Toyota President and FOTA Vice Chair, John Howett. Photo: AP/Matt Dunham)
(Flavio Briatore, Renault team owner. Photo: AP/Luca Bruno)
(Team Principals for Ferrari, BMW and McLaren and FOTA members. From left, Stefano Domenicalli, Mario Thiessen and Martin Whitmarsh)
Last week the group announced they would form a breakaway series citing the rule changes for 2010 and demands of the FIA as untenable. Negotiations this week seem to have put an end to the row and indicate that a viable series will emerge next year, with new and exciting teams to add to the mix.
Nathan can be contacted at pricklyhedgehog@yahoo.com and welcomes your comments and suggestions.
For more info: http://www.teamsassociation.org/ www.formula1.com www.bbc.co.uk www.fia.com
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