FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Sir Frank Williams now believes his Grove-based team will re-join the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) but is standing firm against others wishing to change the rules.

The fiercely independent British team was suspended by FOTA earlier this year for breaking ranks amid the political turmoil and signing up for the 2010 world championship.

Williams, who said at the time he did not expect to re-join the team alliance, then further risked the ire of its rivals by blocking a test for Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, opposing a push for three-car team entries, and fighting its corner over measures for the 2010 technical and sporting rules.

However, after the similarly suspended Force India indicated it intends to re-join FOTA, Williams has said in an interview with the Telegraph newspaper that he expects to renew his team's membership "sooner rather than later".

The 67-year-old is however unapologetic about Williams' recent stances that have not made the team the most popular among rivals.

"Those are the rules and the rules are put together with more force and authority by the manufacturers than by teams like Williams," he explained. "We've signed up to those rules and we expect all parties who are signed up to honour their signatures."

Williams said recently he would "block" Ferrari's push, backed reportedly by McLaren and Renault, to enter a third car next season.

"If you have two or three elite teams with great resources and almost unbeatable cars, they will occupy the first four and a half rows on the grid. If you're team number five in the pecking order you have no chance of getting near the front of a grid. It's not healthy," he said.

In the recent midst of the breakaway threats and reports of doom and gloom, Williams remained confident throughout that F1 would emerge strongly. He retains the same view now.

"F1 has always enjoyed turbulent times. It's never particularly stable. But I have every confidence that it will be a highly regarded and well-followed sport 10 or 20 years from now."

E.A. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM

[EwanM]

Sir Frank is right about the 3 car teams.

It really depends on the future of FOTA and its relationship with the new FIA president. I think as time goes by that the organisation will either splinter or grow closer together. However Mercedes will soon be able to force their agenda upon FOTA - whether that is a good thing remains to be seen.

[headless]

Yeah I hadn't thought about the three cars that way

[Jensonb]

He's dead right to oppose the 3 Car Teams. That's a cockamamie idea.

[7UpJordan]

Three car teams in modern F1 when having the best car seems to be a bigger advantage than having the best driver is a ridiculous idea. It only worked back in the 60's, 70's and 80's up until Renault fielded (the useless) Francois Hainault in a 3rd car was ok because back then it was more about the best driver, and having a good car was a bonus.

[Frosty]

3 car idea is a poor one!

[Gilles 27]

I like the three car idea = More fast drivers in fast cars...

[McLaren]

Have to say i'm another that doesn't like the sound of three cars.Teams struggle to put two on the track the same let alone three.

[Jensonb]

We don't have the capacity for any 3 car teams. There is just not enough space.

[Gaz]

i think brawn should clone Jenson button but rename them

Jen

Son

Button

Wins

and run a 4 car team.

[Gilles 27]

I know, so only teams who had participated in F1 continually for 10 or more years would be allowed an extra car as a reward. Than is how I'd like to see it work

[Denthúl]

If the third car was non-scoring, maybe I'd consider it, but even then you could get a lot of manipulated grand prix results...

[myownalias]

I personally think that Williams would be better off out of FOTA, especially if they are going to keep their hard line against FOTA led rule changes. How long will it be before Williams will be expelled again for disagreeing with the FOTA line? The way things have been set up within the FIA, Williams will get as much say in what happens regardless of their FOTA status. The three car idea is ridiculous as it's very self serving to the big teams, smaller teams can not afford to run three cars and even if they could, 39 cars on the grid? back to pre-qualifying, teams travelling around the world to not even make it onto the final grid! Bad idea all round in my opinion!

[McLaren Fan]

Sir Frank is right about the 3 car teams.

Definitely, it's one of the most absurd ideas I've come across, though I still think Williams would have opposed the idea even if it were good.

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Williams and Force India rejoin FOTA

By Matt Beer Wednesday, September 9th 2009, 14:48 GMT

Williams and Force India have been re-admitted into the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) in a meeting at Monza today.

The two squads had had their membership of the teams' body suspended in May when they broke ranks with the rest of FOTA and entered the 2010 world championship before the FIA's initial deadline. The move came at the height of tensions between the FIA and FOTA over future regulations, and when the prospect of a breakaway series remained very real.

A resolution between the governing body and FOTA was subsequently reached, and today it was announced that Williams and Force India would rejoin the rest of the current field in the teams' group.

FOTA also reiterated that the door was open for 2010 entrants Team US F1, Manor and Campos to join the organisation. US F1 has already applied to become part of FOTA.

"FOTA re-affirmed that all teams competing in Formula One are able to join the association," said a statement. "FOTA therefore welcomes back into full membership both Williams and Force India.

"The Executive Committee also looks forward to welcoming the new entrants to join the association whilst they continue to prepare for next year's championship."

At the meeting FOTA also resolved to begin discussions with Bernie Ecclestone over the future shape of F1 beyond 2012, when the deal agreed to avert a breakaway expires, and to continue its efforts to increase F1's appeal to fans.

"The FOTA Executive Committee looks forward to working with the FIA and Commercial Rights Holder to promote a healthy, dynamic and sustainable sport," said the statement. "To this end, FOTA intends to now enter into open discussion with the Commercial Rights Holder with the wish to confirm arrangements beyond 2012.

"Furthermore, FOTA will now arrange a seminar, open to representatives of the major stakeholders (including Media, Sponsors and Promoters), to discuss how working together we can develop the show creating a more attractive spectacle for the fans."