8 of the current F1 teams that make up the Formula One Teams Association have announced that they (with the exception of FOTA members Williams and Force India) will leave F1 at the end of the current season. These 8 teams are: BMW Sauber, Brawn, Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Renault, Toro Rosso, and Toyota.
Continue reading after the jump for the full story.
The following are their statement:
Since the formation of FOTA last September the teams have worked together and sought to engage the FIA and commercial rights holder (Formula One Management, lead by Bernie Ecclestone), to develop and improve the sport. Unprecedented worldwide financial turmoil has inevitably placed great challenges before the F1 community.
FOTA is proud that it has achieved the most substantial measures to reduce costs in the history of our sport. In particular the manufacturer teams have provided assistance to the independent teams, a number of which would probably not be in the sport today without the FOTA initiatives.
The FOTA teams have further agreed upon a substantial voluntary cost reduction that provides a sustainable model for the future. Following these efforts all the teams have confirmed to the FIA and the commercial rights holder that they are willing to commit until the end of 2012. The FIA and the commercial rights holder have campaigned to divide FOTA.
The wishes of the majority of the teams are ignored. Furthermore, tens of millions of dollars have been withheld from many teams by the commercial rights holder, going back as far as 2006.
Despite this and the uncompromising environment, FOTA has genuinely sought compromise. It has become clear however, that the teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 World Championship.
These teams therefore have no alternative other than to commence the preparation for a new Championship which reflects the values of its participants and partners. This series will have transparent governance, one set of regulations, encourage more entrants and listen to the wishes of the fans, including offering lower prices for spectators worldwide, partners and other important stakeholders.
The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature in this new series.
Just look at the last paragraph above. The FIA is truly screwed right now because all the huge sponsors supporting these FOTA teams will be moving to the new series. They are not dumb, it was a calculated and well-planned decision and they confirmed with the sponsors first before announcing this.
It simply doesn’t make sense for manufacturer teams to take part in a race where the development budget is restricted, and if Bernie has gone this far, he won’t stop until he gets his ways with other stuff, like the standardised engine either built by Cosworth, or built according to Cosworth specs.
The new series will likely have an image and prestige comparable with F1 as it is made out of teams that stood for what F1 is in the first place. In fact if the big budget teams have it their way, the new series would go back to what F1 was a couple of years ago before all the big changes.
F1 could now end up more like a glorified version of the old Formula 2/Formula 3000 and Formula 3 feeder races. The rule changes have brought the technology bar down and leaves room for a new series to take its place as the pinnacle of racing. That new series may end up being called Grand Prix World Championship (GPWC), an idea of a rival series consortium that started all the way back in 2005 when there was already dissatisfaction with the FIA. The name is apt as F1 is said to be the spiritual successor to the original Grand Prix Motor Racing in the 1890s.
The FIA has responded to the FOTA’s announcement with a statement:
The FIA is disappointed but not surprised by FOTA’s inability to reach a compromise in the best interests of the sport. It is clear that elements within FOTA have sought this outcome throughout the prolonged period of negotiation and have not engaged in the discussons 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 1.
The deadline for unconditional entries to the 2010 FIA Formula World Championship will expire this evening. The 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship entry list will be announced tomorrow.
We could see some of the entries that pitched for a grid position but did not get it in the preliminary list get slotted in, but the thing is I’m sure they want to join F1 to race with the best of the best, but now that the best of the best has gone somewhere else, will they still be interested? One of the teams on the reserve list N.Technology has already pulled out. Lola has also pulled out this week.
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yippie… finally, it all end here.. feels like this issue been push here & there since ages..
great news!! many fans have become disillusioned by the current F1 series. But hope the FOTA members know what they're doing, it's not easy managing your own series, and the teams are bound to capitalise on any loopholes in regulations (as if they're not doing just that already)
Hope Bernie will come out and relent, loosen some of the rules. Or just retire in peace.
What the hell is Max doing with the sport! Go play with your h**kers Max!!!
FOTA, shmota. They can do a new series all they want, but if only one or two teams have a chance to win, then forget it! I want a race series that's unpredictable, that anyone can win even if they started in 22nd position. F1 in the 80's was exciting because of that. Even though sometimes the races are a procession but nevertheless the unpredictability is still there. And when one team dominated, like in 1988 when McLaren won all but one race, there's still excitement because of the fierce rivalry between Senna & Prost. Nowadays, you'd be lucky if you can see team mates fighting for 6th, let alone a victory! I rather have more seasons like 1988 than the Schumi years of 2001-2004. In fact, I rather have more seasons like the 80's that that of the late 90's and 00's…
if this happen.. will we see a drop in F1 ticket sales in F1 GP in Sepang Malaysia? PETRONAS still want to sponsor BMW? will we see PROTON create LOTUS TEAM in F1?
Er, BMW will be going to the new series, maybe Petronas will tag along.
Great news..
@tiadaid, You're right about teammates battle during '88 but don't you see how much McLaren ahead of anyone else and that's not good. You will see such battle only when two good drivers be at the same team.
The positive thing from the FOTA announcement above is the plan for reduced admission ticket fees to see the new grand prix… NICE!
I hate to see every year we cant managed to see full spectators in the grand stand… hope this will change.
@tHe^CuLpRit i think they won't be self-managing it, there is word that they've turned to Carmelo Ezpeleta to run the series. Ezpeleta's Dorna Sports currently has the commercial rights to MotoGP.
At the end of the day …we want reasonably priced tickets ( with no cut-throat parking fees) and good racing come rain or shine
It's a sad day but also good in a way. It's time to move away from the heavy handed management of the FIA.
BMW SAUBER PETRONAS said,
June 19, 2009 @ 7:22 pm
if this happen.. will we see a drop in F1 ticket sales in F1 GP in Sepang Malaysia? PETRONAS still want to sponsor BMW? will we see PROTON create LOTUS TEAM in F1?
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See last paragraph above…
–The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature in this new series.
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Petronas is a major sponsors btw…
I really love this news. now GTH bernie rubbish.
Paul Tan said,
June 19, 2009 @ 7:41 pm
@tHe^CuLpRit i think they won’t be self-managing it, there is word that they’ve turned to Carmelo Ezpeleta to run the series. Ezpeleta’s Dorna Sports currently has the commercial rights to MotoGP.
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Makes sense, I'm sure they have thought this through before coming to the final decision.
If this happens, will be interesting as to whether the other teams (Force India &Williams) will tag along too, plus the 3 new teams. I'm also sure the other "rejected" teams will attempt to join the new series (again, if it happens.)
Racetrack will be interesting too, considering most of the tracks are already contractually bound to FIA. How long more are Sepang contracted to them?
Bravo to FOTA for having the gut to f**k off FIA, Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone. Frankly, FIA know nut about motorsport with that budget cap and "standardisation" going on. What's next, a single engine supplier and drivers of same age and weight so that the competition is fair, more intense and "interesting" to watch??
Budget cap is not necessary as it would happen naturally. Othewise, F1 would be too pricey for the common folks as FOTA members try to recoup their huge investment and F1 will surely die a natural death. FOTA members are not stupid and certain things is best to leave it to the free market to dictate..There is no such thing as completely equal playing field and this is what spur the "weak" team to innovate and perform…
hurm..thats the best for the 8 teams..at least i still can watch my fav teams get down the tracks..hopefully the race can be as exciting as GP2 races..even though less speed,and those techonlogy things as F1..but its not that boring,.gaps bween cars is not that much as F1,means more fights! it was like watching moto gp & compare it with Sbk.which sbk is more fun to watch.(i know this is cars not bikes)..happy racing!
can sepang secure a place in new seriess????? this issss crutial for uss
I heard Honda will compete in the new series of FOTA
http://www.crash.net/formula+one/news/51055/1/hon…
this new series is already in plan in year 2005… now they want to realize it, but I feel very pity to Sepang F1 circuit, Malaysia.. the ticket sales will probably drop badly, because there is so many fanatics with that 8 great teams backed by world famous automative engine makers.
http://www.motorsm.com/motorsport/auto/F1/GPWC.as…
this is fully support by BMW, MERCEDES, FIAT (FIAT owned FERRARI), FORD (FORD owned JAGUAR), RENAULT.. F1 will be fully dominated by England and USA cars manufacturers.. Europe vs British empire.. who win? Japanese watching now.. Malaysia in dilemma.. want german engineering stuff but already name F1 Sepang circuit.. so how??
originally 5 manufacturers not happy with F1 so they already said they want to make a new championship under FOTA, they called it "Grand Prix Racing".. the plan already set in 2005..
top 5 shareholders in FOTA is
1)BMW
2)Daimler AG (owned Mercedes)
3)FIAT (owned Ferrari)
4)FORD (owned Jaguar)
5)Renault
.. most probably Honda and Toyota will join the shares
F1 problem is Bernie Ecclestone make so much money, and it is very unfair thus made the Honda quit the F1 due lack of money given by F1.
in F1 shares (revenue distribution)
43% MANUFACTURERS
53% ECCLESTONE/FIA (75% TV (Kirsch – now bankrupt) 25% Ecclestone).. Lehmann Brothers which also have stake also bankcrupt already
Bernie Ecclestone F1 want to reduce cost by limit the budget but don't want to share the revenue equal to everyone.. making others mad only.. F1 especially Bernie Ecclestone will learn from their arrogance and selfishness.
Good news certainly to my ears. This issue had been dragging on for much too long. Congrats to FOTA for standing up against the likes of Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley (espc Bernie). This two guys have been manipulating the series for far too long (espc the financial aspect, and here again espc Bernie), it's about time something is done to put things right again, especially to the benefits of teams competing and also not forgetting the fans. Yes, the FANS! The fans are the ones supporting the series, and if they are being kept away by exorbitant ticket prices, there won't be any race at all in the first place for this is a spectator sports.
Once again, congrats to FOTA, and may the new breakaway series benefit all, come rain or shine! CIAO!
Proton can potential run now in F1!! Campro engine!!
We can possible see the Chinese manufacturers also i guess, so it will be a 2-tier facing for the upcoming manufacturers.
Maybe TATA will the there also!! :)
sepang can remove it 'F1' word in it.
ie : Sepang Circuit .. or Petronas Sepang Circuit . Ok what?
F1 dying already, they can't do much.
Ecclestone – money sucker.
Max Mosley = racist!
please go die both of you.
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And i think Ferrari now just 'has' to join FOTA. they not by natural.
maybe just me.
Well I'm sure that almost 100% want to watch the New F1 rather than the current F1. I'm suprised that the teams stayed with Bernie & FIA this long after they keep screwing up the teams.
Even this season is screwed. What is with the mandatory compound tyre change for. Does not make sense to me. Up to the teams if they want to use hard or soft throughout the race. Not forced to use soft or hard because its the law.
Also bring back normal qualifying. No more tier based lap qualifying. Have the lap window down to 45 mins. Whoever is the fastest stays first. When they are satisfied with their qualification time then that is the fuel load they will use on race day. So not necessarily the fastest will win. He will pit first, but not win. Not go thru some complicated tier based system.
You have to remember, F1 is not about the fans at the circuit. Those who go there are not what they want. What they want is commercial TV rights. Fans at circuit only see a section of the track. Those watching the tele will get the whole race.
not to mention all the sponsors logo on the cars all the time.
Maybe we can see back tobacco companies sponsoring the new F1. Makes more teams economically better off. Well only Ferrari has a deal with Malboro. West, MIld seven, B&H, etc are no longer part of F1.
most probably LOTUS TEAM (backed by parent company PROTON) will return to F1.. and also Brabham.. and maybe General Motors Chevrolet? Opel? will join F1.. F1 will go retro without Ferrari
but for FOTA "Grand Prix".. most probabaly the German giant company Volkswagen (VW) will join them..VW said this
"An entry (to F1) within the next three years is, however, not realistic. There are still uncertainties in the regulations – [like] the engine freeze." – Volkswagen.. actually Volkswagen really interested competing with bmw, ferrari, toyota, renault and others but really hate F1 management.
BMW Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen invited Volkswagen with their subsidiaries Porsche, Audi, Bugatti Veyron to join them in F1 or FOTA.. most probably in FOTA
http://www.crash.net/Formula+One/News/62877/1/f1_…
it is interesting that next year, 2010 we will have F1 and "ex-F1 giants revolution"
most probably German giant cars maker Volkswagen with the subsidiaries AUDI, PORSCHE, BUGATTI VEYRON will join FOTA
last year BMW Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen invited their German friends to join them in FOTA, BMW know Volkswagen really hate F1 current management.
http://www.crash.net/Formula+One/News/62877/1/f1_…
yeah..bring back the old 3000cc v10 engine..
I think this show how much the teams are disappointed and furious with FIA president and supremo Max Mosley & Bernie Eclesstone… Both of them are actually destroying the F1 series that are so fun to watch for 60 years
most probably LOTUS TEAM (backed by parent company PROTON) will return to F1.. and also Brabham.. and maybe General Motors Chevrolet? Opel? will join F1.. F1 will go retro without Ferrari
but for FOTA "Grand Prix".. most probabaly the German giant company Volkswagen (VW) will join them..VW said this
"An entry (to F1) within the next three years is, however, not realistic. There are still uncertainties in the regulations – [like] the engine freeze." – Volkswagen.. actually Volkswagen really interested competing with bmw, ferrari, toyota, renault and others but really hate F1 management.
BMW Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen invited Volkswagen with their subsidiaries Porsche, Audi, Bugatti Veyron to join them in F1 or FOTA.. most probably in FOTA
http://www.crash.net/Formula+One/News/62877/1/f1_…
it is interesting that next year we will have F1 and "ex-F1"
Definitely a good news. F1 should be the ultimate car races with the best car engineering and technologies… The new limitation introduce just killing the competition.. I lose interest after they killed the V10 engine… Would love to see an unlimited racing car series-in terms of engine, car design, techies… (maybe safety should be the only limitation for the car)… Can't wait to see where this is going…
i stop F1, screw u bernie
Yes!!Bravo to FOTA for taking this brave but clever move.They shown that they are not eazy to be squeezed by the pathetic FIA rules…looking forward to watch the new series next season…holllaa!!
is there such thing to have vote of no confidence to both bernie and mosley? :P
This will just divide the fan… will GPWC come to Sepang? This might not yet been finalized yet right? but given Petronas going with their Team BMW Sauber, they might fight to bring it here in Malaysia.
Ecclest promote financial prudent rules but he himself going against it all with his own butler, chef and container of household he drag with himself to all the F1 series.
Hope GPWC would try to tag a green effort in their new series. Maybe diesel power F1 car?(errr… it wont be called F1 car anymore… err racemachine..) or an EV race machine.
I wont be surprised if China car company join the new F1. Go DongFeng! or BYD. or Geely or the other 17 car company or whatever..
@FI vs FOTA.. whoops.. Jaguar owns by Tata no more Ford. Made In India Britain Proud. No more alike of British's East India Company more like India's East British Company
Team Lotus, is not part of the real Lotus group, its jst some other team riding on the Lotus' name. Ford does not own Jag anymore if im not mistaken. As of now, track contracts are still exclusively with F1, so we may not have the breakaway series here for awhile. and even if we do, do not expect a price drop, as tickets are one of the cheapest in the world. and tobacco companies are not gonna sponsor anymore cuz in many countries, the advertising of tobacco is banned. there is no use sponsoring if their names are not gonna be used.
The mandatory tire changes were to bring about competitveness and team strategy, which does call for great spectator sports. so that is understandable.
the budget cap is the straw that broke the camel's back, and FOTA has decided, it can do without the FIA.
and since this is gonna be run by FOTA, do not expect low budget teams to compete. it is going to be jst as glamorous and big as F1, without the nonsensical monopolistic politics.
jimbet wrote..
is there such thing to have vote of no confidence to both bernie and mosley? :P
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very good suggestion.. F1 reality show?? surely then F1 will make alot of money like Akademi Fantasia..LOL
FIA wanted to sue FOTA now.
FIA is definitely getting boycott by everyone including fans i bet
anyone agrees ?
no wonder i sneezed alot today coz all of u r talking bout me. wakakak!
hip hip hurray no more being drag by the nose to walk by fia now that
will b a breakaway series thats been dreaming for so long.
Bernie & max thought that d ratings of d sport is lacking fans well after
this there wont b any fans watching f1 anymore. Dont think these 2 gonna
let go that easy & definately there b court cases coming.
mosley has been talking loudly F1 can continue without the rebels and yet FIA is suing..wondering where's his ball..this gay should stop talking big..
even brawn gp know where to go. f1 is about technology. sponsor would prefer see technology rather than the same thing.fia rule changing is too much,look at brawn gp just because of wing setup they are the runaway leader right now(other team cant made any adjustment).i want to see free for all tech that can be use anytime at races. the only rules that apply to all teams is hp and weight.
bye bye F1, Mosley u can go to hell now… kthxbai!
great news ! F1 changed for the worse these few years i stop watching F1 after F1 introduced so many stupid changes to the sport. The last straw was to introduce a standard engine ! F1 trying to be A1 ? Sepang should cancel the contract to host F1 and go for the new series.
so this is then a good news to the whole industry..
Sepang circuit will have one more race in their planner..
smaller team might be in the old F1, proton , tata etc..
the new and old f1 might have some ticket price war, good for spectators..
the badnews>>>A1 will less popular..hehe
What a bold and clever move!
A good governing body will stimulate tech advancement while promoting fair competition. U will never get the REAL excitement from stereotyped race car like in the A1and the American series. F1 is going to the drain, but not the spirit of F1.
agree with cocobear
lol i want 400kph new race car.
Thats the result of Mosley's idiotic decision…brainless
The old king is dead, long live the king!!
Nice. no more ugly looking car. bring on all the new technology. bring out all the best of an engine, a car. no more stupid limitation.
Nice. no more ugly looking car. bring on all the new technology. bring out all the best of an engine, a car. no more stupid limitation.
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I am agree with you.. is there anybody want to develop Wankel/Rotary engine.. that is german technology also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel_engine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Wankel
Germany is the best place to study engineering, German are the real master of engineering.. I watched Super GT, MUTIARA MOTORSPORTS from MALAYSIA currently leading the SUPER GT GT300 class.. bravo with the rotary/wankel engine.. it is a very powerful engine, that's why helicopter also use that type of engine (the only big problem is, it really consume alot of fuel)
good bye FIA, max and Ecclestone is too ignorant, let them gone in ashes! :D
No more F1~
Back to V10s. Upgrade safety, unlimited open tyre design, super high tech cars, cheaper tickets. It's going to be expensive to run teams here folks. Exciting years to come. Now the idiot Americans will see the full fury of Grand Prix, they're always saying NASCAR and KART is better, faster and more exciting. Hpoefully the tech will trickle down to streetcars like KERS.
so will the wrc do the same too?
It is expected a new high level of racing motorsports from FOTA for world leader in automotive industry!
revival of V10 high performance engine!!! the engine that can reach 400km speed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeqZZyHLW3Q
HONDA will come back to this high level of racing motorsports ^^
Mario Thiessen from BMW said said Volkswagen want to join FOTA.. it is really good to have VW, Porsche, AUDI, Bugatti in the high level of racing motorsports together!
official website of FOTA
http://www.teamsassociation.org/
lepas ni asyik ferrari je la yang menang….macam la best sangat kalau anda new championship…formula one dh memang boring dh sekarang ni…