Formula One is splitting up!
by WhistlerJones on Thursday, June 18th 2009

After all the back and forth between the teams (FOTA) and the governing body (FIA) over the issue of budget caps and governance. The Formula One teams (excluding Williams and Force India) have put their foot down this midnight and announced plans for a breakaway championship.
Story from autosport.com
The Formula One Teams' Association announced on Thursday night that it is setting up a breakaway championship.
Following a four hour meeting at Renault's Enstone factory, the eight members of FOTA said it had grown frustrated with the FIA's stance against it and that it had no option but to create its own championship.
"The teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 World Championship," said a statement.
"These teams therefore have no alternative other than to commence the preparation for a new Championship which reflects the values of its participants and partners. This series will have transparent governance, one set of regulations, encourage more entrants and listen to the wishes of the fans, including offering lower prices for spectators worldwide, partners and other important stakeholders.
"The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature in this new series."
Source
Will they follow through or can a deal still be negotiated?
No matter what side of the argument you stand, this is historical.
We have always had threats and political controversy in F1, but never this far as to announce a breakaway championship. Weird time of the night to do that too.
Update: The FIA has begun legal proceedings against FOTA
FIA Press Release
I don't think there is any coming back from this one. Its splitsville and it will get ugly.
4 comments so far
musicgeek @ 11:25pm Thursday, June 18th 2009
This is big big news, I have to sleep on it, process it and give a proper comment tmrw...wow!
Wow @ 7:54am Friday, June 19th 2009
oh snap! They have actually done it. Finally an end to this back and forth. Up next, lawsuits.
FIA responds
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/090619085701.shtml
FIA responds
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/090619085701.shtml
William @ 8:18am Friday, June 19th 2009
great news, long overdue
bye Max and Bernie!
bye Max and Bernie!
reserved @ 11:53am Friday, June 19th 2009
This could go either way, it could be ugly and bad in the long run, or it could work out and fix alot of the wrongs in the current F1.
Im reserved about this...best of luck to FOTA, they will need it.
Im reserved about this...best of luck to FOTA, they will need it.


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