FOTA issues and discussion.

[Mothers Worry]

Ferrari and RBR have split from FOTA.

Ferrari have released the following statement:

"It was a difficult decision and a great deal of thought went into it. It was taken reluctantly after analysing the current situation and the stalemate when it came to debate on some issues that were at the core of why the association was formed, indeed with Ferrari and Luca di Montezemolo as the main instigator and promoter of ideas. It’s not by chance that the President of the Maranello company held that same position and job title within FOTA up to the end of 2009.

"Some of the major achievements of the association during these years, also worked out in conjunction with the FIA, centred around cost reduction, which was of significant benefit to everyone, the big teams and the small ones. Ferrari was on the front line in this area, even before the birth of FOTA and it intends to continue down this route to ensure the sustainability of the sport in the long term. Now however, it is necessary to find some new impetus to move it along because FOTA’s drive has run its course, despite the excellent work of current President, Martin Whitmarsh in trying to reach agreement between the various positions for the common good.

"Ferrari will continue to work with the other teams to make the current RRA, Resource Restriction Agreement, aimed at controlling costs, more effective and efficient, modifying it to make it more stringent in key areas such as aerodynamics, to rebalance some aspects such as testing and to expand it to areas currently not covered such as engines.

"Formula 1, like the rest of the world in fact, is currently going through a delicate period. Ferrari wants to work with all parties for the future of a sport that expresses the highest level of motor sport technology. We must return to a situation where Formula 1 is really a test bed for advanced technological research, the results of which can be transferred to Granturismo cars. In addition, we must not forget that this sport must become more user friendly and more accessible to the general public and furthermore, it cannot be the only professional sport where it is practically impossible to do any training: the number of days of testing must be increased so that the drivers, especially the young ones who lack experience and the teams, can be adequately prepared, as well as providing more opportunities for them to come into contact with spectators and sponsors."

[Jiji_the_cat]

and now sauber have left. me smells something bigger is happenning, hmmm 

Sauber become third team to leave FOTA

Fresh from the news that both Red Bull and Ferrari are leaving the Formula One Teams’ Association, the remaining teams are one further member down as Sauber have also revealed they will be leaving the organisation. A spokesperson for the Swiss squad would not give any specific reasons to the press but confirmed they have given their reasons to the Association, with the news that they wish to quit.
Autosport also reports that Toro Rosso are the next team likely to hit the headlines for leaving FOTA. It’s not clear whether they have handed their resignation in yet or not, but reports suggest there was no member of Toro Rosso present at a FOTA meeting yesterday, plus the team’s Red Bull links would likely pull them away.

The meeting in London was to discuss the future of FOTA, but Mercedes boss Norbert Haug is keen that the outfit continues, saying: “I think it is absolutely vital that FOTA exists. The aims that we have, the targets, are very important, and I think it is up to the so-called top teams to really balance it out.”

[bpratt]

Ouch!

I wonder why the sudden disinterest in a group set up by the teams for the teams ??

[Mothers Worry]

I hope all this is sorted before the start of the 2012 season. The last thing this sport needs is more politics overshadowing the actual motor racing.

[Jiji_the_cat]

Ouch!

I wonder why the sudden disinterest in a group set up by the teams for the teams ??

me smells a conspiracy. Ferrari, Sauber, and Torro Rosso (rumored to be leaving due to there "no show" at the meeting) all use Ferrari engines.

[bpratt]

Ouch!

I wonder why the sudden disinterest in a group set up by the teams for the teams ??

me smells a conspiracy. Ferrari, Sauber, and Torro Rosso (rumored to be leaving due to there "no show" at the meeting) all use Ferrari engines.

Hmmmmm.... that sounds rather convenient doesn't it ?

Wasn't Ferrari a reluctant supporter of FOTA in the first place ?

[Jiji_the_cat]

it was just a theory bpratt. i hoenstly think the teams want more testing, and don't want an accounting firm to go through their books (which eventually will happen) if they stick with the cost reduction agreement.
i think these 2 factors are at the head of the pull outs. Also i think ferrari would want more freedom in electronic aids, and red bull want to push aero.

[Mothers Worry]

Ouch!

I wonder why the sudden disinterest in a group set up by the teams for the teams ??

me smells a conspiracy. Ferrari, Sauber, and Torro Rosso (rumored to be leaving due to there "no show" at the meeting) all use Ferrari engines.

Hmmmmm.... that sounds rather convenient doesn't it ?

Wasn't Ferrari a reluctant supporter of FOTA in the first place ?

Ferrari will support anything that helps Ferrari get an advantage. That has been the situation for years. I would suggest that RBR are much the same.

I am actually hoping that McLaren, who seem to be keeping their nose pretty clean these days, can step up to the plate in a big way in 2012 and take the fight to RBR.... to the max.

Ferrari are big RBR fans these days aren't they? After all, they seem to like collecting RBR front wing assemblies.  

[Oldtony]

This whole hassle seems to be about a difference between teams as to what is most important, fixing an iron clad RRA between the teams, or working together to negotiate a much better Concorde agreement with Bernie.
Ferrari and RBR at present are the two teams who are in the possition to negotiate the biggest share of whatever crumbs Bernie leaves on the table if he gets his way with the Concorde regarding the proportion of the revenue to be distributed to the teams. Mclaren would have some say, and possibly Mercedes, but the rest really don't have any negotiating power at all. Sauber and STR both use Ferrari engines and STR of course shares ownership wit RBR so they will follow their masters.
So it seems to be a bit crazy that the other teams are letting a pretty insignificant agrgument about the savings from the RRA interfear with their negotiation of the Concorde which could effectively double the size of the cake they are sharing. Certainly they are going to get a smaller proportion of that cake, but surely they are better off than worrying more about who is getting some spending off their books, or doing a little extra resting.
I think that there will be a rejoining together of all teams in FOTA to negotiate with Bernie. If not you are witnessing the dumbest bunch of businessmen on the planet self destruct their own business model. The whole thing is starting to sound like it is being led by that negotiaing genius Frank Williams

[Supersleeper]

I wonder why the sudden disinterest in a group set up by the teams for the teams ??

Money....

They're still signatories to the RRA for quite a while - so the idea that it was about spending is a little hard to follow ..... that it is about income is probably more correct.