F1 teams seek to bypass Mosley


Formula One teams and manufacturers took aim at FIA president Max Mosley on Friday and called for an overhaul of the world governing body in a deepening crisis over next year's rules.

In an effort to remove what they see as the major obstacle, the teams association FOTA released a draft letter to the International Automobile Federation (FIA)'s senate and world motor sport council seeking their help in finding a solution over the next week.

Mosley, who faced repeated calls for his resignation last year when he was caught in a sado-masochistic scandal, was not mentioned in person and one team source said the aim was to bypass him in a standoff that threatens to split the sport.

The FIA president, who sits on the 26-member motor sport council along with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, has yet to say whether he intends to seek another term in office when it expires in October.

The Brussels-based European Car Manufacturers Association (ACEA) also issued a strongly worded statement concluding that the sport's "current governance system cannot continue".

Both FOTA and ACEA warned that teams and manufacturers, including champions Ferrari, would leave the sport unless their objectives were met.

NO REAL PROGRESS

"We respectfully seek the intervention of the World Council to facilitate solutions to the present situation," the FOTA letter said after the FIA published a controversial 2010 entry list with half of the existing teams listed only provisionally.

Ferrari and Red Bull's teams were meanwhile put down as unconditional entrants despite their refusal to take part unless the 2010 rules are rewritten.

"We have attended numerous meetings with the FIA's representatives and have been unable to make any substantive progress," said FOTA.

"The teams wish to find a swift solution to the situation, but in case this cannot be done, they will reluctantly have to seek alternative solutions which protect them."

ACEA, whose members include Toyota Europe, said they had "come to the conclusion that the FIA needs a modernised and transparent governance system and processes, including the revision of its constitution."

It added that unless the FOTA objectives were met "BMW, Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and Toyota along with the other teams are determined to find an alternative way to practice this sport in a manner which provides clarity, certainty of rules and administration, and a fair allocation of revenues to the competing teams."

The FIA said earlier that McLaren, Brawn, Renault, BMW-Sauber and Toyota were only provisional entries and invited them to lift their conditions by next Friday after further discussions.

FOTA said in a statement on their website (www.teamsassociation.org) that the FIA's proposals were "bad for the future of Formula One, the jobs of those employed within the motor-racing industry and especially the millions of loyal fans who are dismayed and confused at the internal bickering within our sport."