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[LewEngBridewell]

I doubt it. Ferrari and Red Bull need the revenue generated by being part of F1 along with the global exposure and various other perks. Ferrari will not leave and I think Red Bull will be around for a while yet.

I can't see either team leaving in a hurry. Not for a long while. When it comes to commitment to longevity in the sport, then the top three teams seem solid as rock.

[scotty]

Sauber also leave, STR rumoured to be following soon:

Sauber has become the latest team to quit the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA), AUTOSPORT can reveal, as doubts also emerge about Scuderia Toro Rosso's position in the body.

In the wake of Ferrari and Red Bull Racing's decision to withdraw from the team's organisation last week, sources have revealed that Sauber also notified FOTA members several days ago that it too was leaving.

A team spokeswoman confirmed on Wednesday that Sauber was no longer going to continue being a member for reasons, 'that have been fully explained to FOTA and will be kept private for now.'

There are also fresh uncertainties about whether or not Scuderia Toro Rosso has also quit the body - with sources revealing that the Faenza-based team did not send a representative to FOTA's meeting in London on Tuesday.

Although Toro Rosso was unable to confirm its position when asked on Wednesday, its absence from the meeting - allied to the stance adopted by sister team Red Bull Racing - would make it unlikely that the outfit is to remain a part of the organisation.

It is not clear, though, whether or not Toro Rosso has officially informed FOTA of its stance yet.

FOTA's remaining members – which now are McLaren, Renault, Mercedes GP, Williams, Force India, Lotus and Virgin – met in Tuesday for a meeting to discuss where the body goes from here.

A FOTA spokesman declined to comment on the outcome of those talks, or where the organisation planned to go from here.

However, sources have suggested that – with Red Bull Racing, Ferrari, Sauber and Scuderia Toro Rosso still having to serve a two months' notice period before they can officially leave – there will be a push to try to get them to reconsider their decisions.

Such a move could be hastened if efforts are ramped up to get the Resource Restriction Agreement, which has dominated discussions and disagreements in recent weeks, outside of FOTA's remit.

AUTOSPORT revealed last week that McLaren, Red Bull Racing, Ferrari and Mercedes GP are to meet soon to continue talks about the RRA, to try and agree a framework to move the cost control forward.

[LewEngBridewell]

Ah well, this was to be expected, to be honest. I doubt the remaining FOTA members will be able to tempt them back. What do we think will happen to FOTA now? Dissolve?

[andrew]

Hardly surprising that Sauber have withdrawn from FOTA. Ferrari power so it figures. Expect Torro Rosso to follow given that it'll be expected by Ferrari and Red Bull.

What do we think will happen to FOTA now? Dissolve?

It's the only option. FOTA achieves nothing these days apart from being an F1 teams knitting circle. Good ridance is what I say.

[bud]

I don't understand why you'd want to leave a teams association unless you didn't want to follow the RRA and spend spend spend.

[darwin dali]

I don't understand why you'd want to leave a teams association unless you didn't want to follow the RRA and spend spend spend.

Do they pay a club fee?

[bud]

I don't understand why you'd want to leave a teams association unless you didn't want to follow the RRA and spend spend spend.

Do they pay a club fee?

No but not being apart of FOTA means you're bound by the agreements within the association. Technically now they have left they don't need to adhere to the RRA as it was a FOTA in intuitive not an FIA one.

[racechick]

Whitmarsh will be Billy No-mates soon.
Bit short sighted of the teams I'd say not to have some form of unity when dealing with the likes of Todt and Ecclestone. Maybe Ecclestone's behind this. Word in the ear here, special treatment there.(nudge nudge, wink , wink, say-no-more, say-no-more)

[andrew]

Whitmarsh will be Billy No-mates soon.

You mean McLaren will be Billy No-mates soon.

I don't understand why you'd want to leave a teams association unless you didn't want to follow the RRA and spend spend spend.

Do they pay a club fee?

No but not being apart of FOTA means you're bound by the agreements within the association. Technically now they have left they don't need to adhere to the RRA as it was a FOTA in intuitive not an FIA one.

The RRA was totally unenforceable and therefore pointless. FOTA seems to be completely redundant these days and seemingly caused more problems than it solves.

[bud]

It's enforceable if everyone plays fair with an open book, seems the ones leaving have something to hide.
FOTAs birth was because of draconian ruling of Mosley and his outrageous ideas for the sports future. The teams got together to make a front and talk about break away. As one they are stronger against future problems with the FIA or FOM. Just as being in a union in your work. Now we will see deals like Ferraris 2.5% extra constructor earnings. Deals deals deals!

It's sad Redbull Ferrari and now Sauber have chosen to go their own way with their own agendas at the fore over that of the sports, the heart of what FOTA is all about, the sport of F1!

[andrew]

Don't forget HRT. They're the trend setters. They left first.

As for being open book and playing fair, well that's never going to happen. Books can be cooked and tailored to suit.

[bud]

Really HRT? Their absense isnt that important. But somehow I don't thnk HRT were ever in a position to over spend the RRA. They left quite a while ago to perhaps suck up to Bernie and the FIA.

[What's Burning?]

I get why Ferrari is doing it... and taking all of it's Ferrari powered offspring with them. But can someone explain to me why Red Bull are doing it? I mean they've got the most dominant team the most dominant car and a fantastic driver, what's in it for them to change the status quo?

[acosmichippo]

Dumb question: So what's the point of a team association if not all teams take part?

[racechick]

Whitmarsh will be Billy No-mates soon.

You mean McLaren will be Billy No-mates soon.

No I meant what I said. Whitmarsh is head of it.