FOTA angry

The association of team managers today declared itself very disappointed at not having been consulted, before the World Motor Sport Council validates the new rules which will come into force this year.

Published on 18/03/2009 à 16:24

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By adopting several revolutionary, technical and sporting regulations, without consultation with FOTA, the FIA seems to want to establish its authority at a time when the teams are making common cause.

“FOTA would like to express its disappointment with the measures adopted today by the World Council. She is concerned that they were adopted unilaterally. », lamented Luca di Montezemolo, current President of the association, a few hours after the validation of these new rules.

"Given the time frame in which these changes were adopted, as well as the manner in which it was done, we believe it is necessary that we study the situation and do everything possible to maintain a certain stability in regulations and to avoid perpetual changes, which would only bring confusion and perplexity in the eyes of manufacturers, teams, sponsors and spectators. »

The standoff between team leaders and senior management of the Formula 1 just beginning?

One of FOTA's major proposals was to establish a new points scale (12-9-7-5-4-3-2-1), giving more credit to the winner of a race without disadvantaging a driver too much. regular all season though. The decision to favor the sole winner of the Grand Prix is not a bad idea in itself, but it will not necessarily guarantee a better show either, according to FOTA members

“Perhaps we are heading towards more exciting races, but will we have a more deserving champion? This remains to be verified. “, declared ex-F1 driver Martin Brundle in the Daily Telegraph.

Bernie Ecclestone, for his part, had a proposal quite close to that of the FIA, since he would have liked to award medals to the first three in each race and award the world title to the one who collected the most gold medals.

“Actually, this new rule is a lot like what I proposed a while ago, but without the second and third reward. In any case it's a good decision in my opinion, the drivers will now have to fight like hell for victory rather than settling for second place. It will be real competition, it’s good for the public and for our sport. », declared the President of the FOM.