Martin Whitmarsh hopeful for teams to work together despite FOTA fallout – Formula 1 news
Martin Whitmarsh is hopeful that Formula 1 teams will come to some sort of agreement over FOTA for the greater good of the sport.
He said that despite the reduced number of FOTA members the teams can still work together. Last year Ferrari, Red Bull and Sauber quit FOTA over their disagreement of Resource Restriction Agreement.
“I'm not too hung up on the brand 'FOTA',” Whitmarsh said. “I think what's important is that the teams realise there are critical issues within this sport where it will be better if we cooperate and take sensible decisions, and I hope and believe that we'll
continue to do that.”
“It definitely has not become easier for the smaller teams. To cut costs in Formula One is a very difficult and thorny issue. The RRA was a step in the right direction, but now other steps must urgently follow,” he added.
All the teams that quit FOTA had issues the way the financial management was being handled. They have asked for more transparency and believe that if teams cannot provide details of their expenses there is really no point in having those limitations as there
is no real measure to know if a particular team is within those limits or not.
Another major issue has been the limitation of testing days, the FIA has been very strict on providing testing days to teams to test their cars or drivers prior to the season. Red Bull and Ferrari oppose this strongly. Luca di Montezemolo president of Ferrari
was felt so passionately about the whole ordeal that at one point stated that Ferrari can even consider pulling out of Formula 1 if FIA did not make amends.
Although Ferrari management explained what their president really meant on their official website, but it gives an idea of how strongly teams oppose some of the policies.
Mercedes principal Ross Brawn came in defence of FOTA and the RRA and said that it is imperative for the longevity of the sport that the teams come to an understanding. He believes that the restrictions are flexible but at large are accurately imposed considering
the economic downturn that the financial world has folded under.
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