Costs more than ever in the FIA's sights

While Bernie Ecclestone announced last Saturday, that it “authorized” Caterham to miss the next two races in Austin and Brazil, the FIA ​​had not yet communicated on the subject. Especially since following the announcement of the Leafield team, it was Marussia who announced their withdrawal from the American round. Remember that participation in all races on the calendar is an obligation for the teams who could be sanctioned for this. The FIA ​​wanted to put forward its point of view this Thursday.

“The FIA ​​has been informed of Caterham's financial difficulties F1 Team and Marussia F1 Team and the considerable uncertainty surrounding their participation for the final races of the 2014 championship. It is the responsibility of the FIA ​​Stewards to determine whether or not a team has failed in its regulatory obligation to take part in all the events of the calendar and to take all the measures they deem appropriate. However, we have every confidence that the stewards are fully aware of the financial situation of the teams concerned and these matters are always assessed with extreme care and respect for the circumstances. »

In addition, the Federation has relaunched its hobby horse of cost reduction, increasingly at the center of concerns at the end of the season. “Beyond the end of the 2014 season, these defections once again raise the question of the economic balance of the F1 World Championship and justify the position, expressed several times by the FIA, in favor of any initiative which will help reduce costs in order to ensure the survival of the existing grid or attract potential new entrants. The FIA, in close cooperation with the FOM and the various stakeholders in F1, will continue to work to maintain the attractiveness of the championship and the equitable participation of the teams in the years to come. »