Ferrari this morning looked set on course for a head-on collision with the FIA
after the sport’s governing body listed the famous Italian team as an unconditional entry for the 2010 World Championship despite being advised that the Maranello outfit was only entering on a conditional basis pending a resolution of ongoing disputes over the future regulations.
In a very direct and unambiguous statement, Ferrari made it clear that they have “no intention” of taking part in next year’s world championship until their conditions were met. The statement added; “Following the publication of a list which shows Ferrari as an unconditional entrant, Ferrari wishes to state the following. Ferrari submitted on 29 May 2009 an entry to the 2010 F1 world championship which is subject to certain conditions. As of today those conditions have not been met.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, Ferrari reaffirm that it shall not take part in the 2010 FIA world championship under the regulations adopted by the FIA in violation of Ferrari’s rights under a written agreement with the FIA.”
The FIA posted a list of entries which included Ferrari, Scuderia Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Williams, Force India and newcomers Campos, Manor Motorsport and Team US F1, all of which are scheduled at the moment to use Cosworth engines. Prodrive was disappointed not to be selected as a potential entry.
Accepted subject to their withdrawing the conditions attached to their entries are FOTA members McLaren, BMW Sauber, Renault, Toyota and Brawn. The FIA has given these teams until next Friday, the first practice day for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, to withdraw their conditions and make their entries unconditional.
For their part, FOTA have written to the FIA’s Senate and World Motorsport Council, asking them to intervene and effectively rein in the governing body’s president Max Mosley. Deeply concerned about the governance of the sport, these teams want urgent steps to be taken to resolve a crisis which they believe to be “self generated.”
Unless the issue can be resolved the teams will be forced to pursue “alternative solutions which will protect them.” In Ferrari’s case that might involve a return to Le Mans where the company’s president Luca di Montezemolo will be the official starter this weekend.
The letter continues to ask for the WSMC’s support “to ensure that the outcome of these meetings[over the next week] achieves a solution that allows long established teams to continue in their sport within a framework of sound governance and stability that will ensure the future and sustainability of F1.”
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