FIA close to peace deal
Only Force India and Williams have pledged to compete in F1 next season
Also In The News
|
Capital/EMI, out now. |  |
Sunday, 21, Jun 2009 03:33
F1's governing body has revealed it is "very close" to an agreement with the Formula One Teams' Association (Fota) which could avoid a courtroom battle.
The eight teams representing Fota have threatened a breakaway series because of a row over next year's budget cap.
After issuing legal proceedings against Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Brawn GP, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso on Friday, the FIA was set to serve their writ on Monday.
But FIA president Max Mosley has spent the day locked in talks with the teams along with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and Renault team principal Flavio Briatore.
Mosley said they are hoping to avoid taking legal action against the eight teams.
"We are talking to people all the time. It will all be back to normal, it's just a question of when," the 69-year-old said.
"We are very close. What divides us and the teams is minimal and really is something we could sit down and iron out very quickly.
"We have said to them we are ready to do this. Now it may take them a little time to get to the position where they want to, but when they do, we are ready.
"I think we would rather talk than litigate."
Mosley had earlier branded the teams as "loonies" for threatening to launch a rival F1 series next year.