Formula One news

Tension builds in FOTA

Relationships in the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) are seemingly being pushed to the limit after a number of issues have sparked arguments this year. FOTA, formed last year, made history in March when all ten teams agreed on a number of both short and long-term plans to improve Formula One, although all is not well within the organisation after a controversial start to the 2009 season.

Last Wednesday saw the conclusion of the debate surrounding double diffusers, after a hearing the previous day saw a protest from Ferrari, Renault, Red Bull and BMW against Brawn, Toyota and Williams. Although the devices have now been officially legalized by governing body the FIA, a number of after effects still rumble on. Renault team principal Flavio Briatore, for example, disputed on Saturday as to whether Brawn GP should receive a share of F1's television rights.

FOTA's meeting in Switzerland last month was a milestone in Formula One history

"I think it is, unquestionably, a challenge," commented Adam Parr, CEO of Williams. "When you have common interests, it is relatively easy to work together. There were differences of opinion and differences of interest over the winter but Luca di Montezemolo (Ferrari), as chairman of FOTA, with the help of Ron Dennis (McLaren) and John Howett (Toyota) in particular, pulled everyone together. I think that it is harder now, simply because the reality of what we do is that the stuff on the track is so fundamental and so important that it is very difficult to think about the bigger picture while you are fighting out there."

Parr, while admitting that times are tough for FOTA, stressed that the teams must give their upmost in efforts to retain both a healthy working relationship and the future of the group. "I think it needs to be discussed within FOTA," said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. "It isn't good for the teams to be in this predicament but we need to look inwardly and discuss it. It will certainly be a test."

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