Formula 1 news

Proceed with caution, advises Hill

Damon Hill believes that the FIA should tread carefully at the end of this week, with the 13-team list for the 2010 World Championship due to be revealed on Friday. As nine current teams' futures in the sport remain in doubt, the former Champion has warned the FIA not to allow a breakaway series to take place.

With the FIA's €45m budget cap opposed by current Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) members - all teams bar Williams and Force India - the competitors current, conditional entries look to remain in place unless the cap is lifted. With Ferrari having stated on Wednesday that no FIA automatic entry will be allowed to take place (due to the governing body suggesting that contracts ensure the team races until the end of 2012), Hill has tipped the FIA to be careful, with manufacturers threatening a breakaway championship and the sport's future in a potentially destructive position.

"You only have to look over the pond to see what happens when you split a championship," said 1996 Champion Hill to Autosport, referring to the IndyCar-ChampCar separation of the same year. "It's difficult enough to draw people into one particular sport, so what will they make of two separate championships? It would just dilute it.

"The last few years have been really appalling and lots of people have asked questions about the administration of the sport - that's what the issue is all about. It's entertaining in the same way that the Jerry Springer Show is - not for the right reasons - so it's a turn-off as well."

more news

• 20 Mar.
  • FIA launches 2011 team selection process
  • Kobayashi hoping to be more competitive in Melbourne
  • Rosberg positive ahead of Australia
  • Sauber expecting more from Albert Park
• 19 Mar.
  • Kevin Magnussen signed up by McLaren
  • 'We should be more competitive in Melbourne' - de la Rosa
  • Mercedes not competitive enough, says Brawn
  • Lauda impressed by Schumacher comeback
  • Schumacher: Australia a highlight on the calendar
  • Montagny joins Superleague Formula
  • Webber hoping to finish ahead of Vettel
• 18 Mar.
  • Monza signs new F1 contract
  • McLaren buys back Mercedes shares
  • Massa never doubted physical condition
  • Coulthard to drive Red Bull in Belfast
  • Give regulations a chance, says Mallya
  • De la Rosa becomes Certina ambassador
• 17 Mar.
  • Cosworth pleased with F1 comeback
  • GPUpdate TV: Stefano Domenicali interview
  • Schumacher return boosts German TV ratings
  • Bruno Senna column: The season starts in Australia!
  • 'I put too much trust in US F1' - López
  • Button: McLaren will be stronger in Melbourne
  • Horner still hoping for two stops
  • Michael confident with Hülkenberg
• 16 Mar.
  • Ecclestone ponders return to America
  • Lotus eyes Toro Rosso and Sauber
  • Fry: Button must catch Hamilton
  • Di Resta to drive on Melbourne Friday
  • Coulthard slams Mosley's regulation ideas
  • Webber shocked by overtaking difficulties
  • Teams must not write rules, says Ecclestone
  • Vettel: Alonso would not have passed
  • Michael pleased to finish after problems
  • Renault 'daringly late' with development
• 15 Mar.
  • Schumacher 'very, very happy' with result
  • First-corner IndyCar collision for Sato
  • Bridgestone satisfied with Bahrain tyres
  • Teams considering mandatory pit-stops
  • All-CFD approach justified, says Wirth

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